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Post by Kelpie-River on Aug 1, 2019 20:49:19 GMT -6
Seble || The Folk || Post Five
The mare was amazed at how quickly things changed from bad to worse. A bit of uncomfortable conversation about Noatak's parentage was one thing, but real life water bandits before them, with a knife to the child's throat was another entirely. The mare couldn't help but pin her ears and stamp her hoof at the earth in frustration. There seemed to be absolutely nothing she could do; the mare had no blessings, had not even a talent to her name. She huffed silently, fuming inside. Every instinct of hers told her that it was time to move forward, take the child back, but as the golden-winged mare pressed the knife to her captive's throat, it became clear that Seble could do no such thing.
She turned her eyes to Nero, the group's leader, in hopes that he had some idea of what to do. But he seemed to be at a loss, pleading for the child's life, trying to reason with the bandits. But they would not be swayed; they seemed intent on taking Noatak with them. Frowning, Seble cursed internally. There were more of them hidden, no idea how many, based on the whizzing projectiles. Could the small group take them without spilling Noa's blood on the ground? Seble feared not.
WC: 213
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 2, 2019 11:08:13 GMT -6
Eyrin | Saviour
One moment Eyrin was buzzy being scared of Pangolin losing a limb from petting too large a bird, next he was greeting a stranger who’s pleasentness soon turned into dreadful antagonism. Eyrin’s ears pinned back and he took a step forward only to freeze as another horse pulled a dagger. He stopped, nostrils flaring in alarm and annoyance. He saw Pangolin stand beside Zasha, probably encouraged by the other foal’s bravery. They didn’t need foolish rushing in though. The war was over and indeed they did not need more blood spilled on Alya’s sands.
“Let’s not be foolish,” he said, trying to calm himself as much as those around him, even as anger made his blood boil and disgust his skin crawl. “There’s no gain in random harm, what is it you really want? I’m sure we can work something out.”
He grit his teeth, eyes searching between their adverseries, both seen and possibly unseen, judging by the bolt that had flown by. They hadn’t drawn blood yet. That meant they were looking to gain something from them, right?
This was all words. His tail swished, hoof pawed at the ground. What sad reality that even their own homeland, haven, was no longer free of stress and danger. He looked at Noa, trying to look confident. It’s okay, he tried to say. To Zasha, To Pan, we’ll get out of this. Now he just needed some confidence in that himself.
Post 3 | 240 words
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 2, 2019 11:23:59 GMT -6
Eyes tracked the group quietly, calculating despite the bitter feeling that gnawed at her insides. The foal standing there was a joke. So many vagabonds shipped of to Aodh, yet they decided to only stand up for that runt. That her partner was carted off had been the sad reality of Aodh’s rule, but because the sultan and his partner suddenly to take a child as their own, the whole country could go to war. Equality? A lie fed to every ‘good’ Seroran.
Unseen and from afar, she called upon her blessing, for the biggest and the baddest this god forsaken dessert had to offer. She wanted them to hurt like she had, but even Arizona, impulsive as she was, was not so foolish to run headfirst into the massive monstrosity that had taken to one of the foal’s side, even when her partners seemed to gamble upon it. They needed back-up.
Meanwhile Atacama, who was quietly taking it all in, own weapon held loosely, raised their head lazily towards the sky at the sound of beating wings.
An loud screech pierced the sky, not quite unlike the one recently heard below and a dark shadow dove down, landing ungracefully amongst the crowd.
“Good job, Arizona,” Atacama muttered under their breath, clearly pleased and impressed as a slow smile appeared on their face.
Post 1 | 224 words
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Post by Artistic Pineapple on Aug 2, 2019 21:21:48 GMT -6
Zasha & Rook Serora Fledgling & Quetzalcoatl Familiar
"Rook, we can't. They'll hurt Noa before we can get to them," Zasha's voice was quiet and desperate in the thunderbird's language. She hadn't taken her eyes away from Noatak, despite wanting so badly to shake herself and wake from this sudden nightmare. She hadn't expected it to get any worse.
But then it did.
Gunshot whizzed past Rook's neck from behind and the massive avian shrieked in rage and huddled closer around Zasha. A hiss escaped from his throat as keen eyes darted behind him only to see the desert staring back. He heard Zasha desperately ask if he was alright but before he could respond, his body went unnaturally rigid.
A boiling red smoke was beginning to fill the space just behind his eyes, sloshing around within his head itself. A feeling alien to instinct, stronger than impulse, louder than anything he had ever felt before. It was a force and despite Rook's desperate attempts, he was slowly losing the battle against it. His pupils were dilated but no longer saw anything but the red, boiling thing that filled his mind. Zasha's voice between his forelegs was lost to unhearing ears as the thunderbird turned toward the unseen horse that beckoned him with mechanical fluidity. Every movement felt as though he was being puppeteered, until something finally broke through.
Zasha was crying, nearly screaming his name in her broken sobs. Rook stumbled forward awkwardly, massive forelegs fighting to right himself as his mind cleared. He growled and shook out the remaining fog in his head, fighting the fear of whatever it was before meeting Zasha's eyes. "I am alright do not worr---"
The piercing call of a wild thunderbird cut through his words to Zasha and he stood above her again as the stranger landed too close for comfort. Rook let loose a growl, the only warning he would offer to this unwelcome creature.
"Be you foe, then leave. Be you friend, then stand down." His words were sharp and unwavering. Orders. His eyes darted back to Zasha for only a moment before returning to the threat looming before them. "Distraction."
From below his hostile stance, Zasha blinked away her tears and tightened her grip on the sharp piece of flint. Her eyes darted to Noatak, then to Nero. A wild thunderbird could eat any of them...
A wild thunderbird like this one wouldn't just show up, she reasoned. And Rook's status as an alpha usually was enough to scare any off, anyway. Is it possible that this quetzal is a weapon, too? How foolish to bring a horse-eater this close! Her thoughts blurred together and her terrified mind raced faster than she could keep up with. Taking a deep breath did little to steady her trembling form and her eyes darted to the other members of their little group.
She had been trained in combat. She had instincts to survive.
The wild thunderbird refused to yield to Rook's threat and turned its hungry eyes to Zasha. Rook's rage boiled over.
With a cry of war and wild beats of massive wings that stirred up a small dust storm, he jumped into the air and attacked. Kicking out with the sharpened talons on his hind legs and striking with his beak, his opponent met him above the ground with a flurry of wildness and ferocity. Sharp beaks tore at faces and necks, while talons dug into feathers and bodies.
Shrieks and screams erupted from the tangled mass of avian fury above their heads and Zasha prayed to Alya that the distraction was enough.
WC: 641 | Post #6
(long post, sorry ya'll. Feel free to note topical wounds on Rook, just nothing devastating! He's going to be feeling this in the morning, for sure.
tl;dr Rook attacks the summoned wild thunderbird and creates a distraction!)
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Post by foalish on Aug 4, 2019 0:01:56 GMT -6
Alcaeus
He let himself relax a bit more, the idle conversation almost soothing. It became background noise as he continued to filter through plants, picking out stalks of what they were supposed to, and anything else he knew at the top of his head, that might be useful. Tucking away, as he did so.
It took a lot of commotion, to draw him out of his trance; earth shifting, things whizzing their way, voices and shouts. It ruffled his feathers before he was even aware of his surroundings and drawn out of his dreaming.
His eyes were wide as he turned over, seeing the bandits, holding the foal hostage.
His feathers fluffed up to as far as they could, rage boiling over the edge in near seconds. He pushed his way through the crowd, to get a better look, to hear what was being said; it took a few replies too understand what was going on.
And right then, it took all his restraint to not fly over to them and beat them to a pulp. Even if he’s die doing so. He was not quite brash enough to risk the life of the child; not when they had weapons pointed at them.
But that did not stop his voice, thick with rage.
”How foolish and repulsive are you all?” he spat at the assailants. ”A child does not bear the sins of their parents. Your blood and actions will be stained with nothing but your lack of personhood if you think it’s justified to hurt them.” His wings ruffled, ”stop your stupid fixations, and take it out on someone who deserves it.” Perhaps it was an open invitation; but the less attention on the foal, the better.
WC: 293 | Post 3
Occ: feel free to do whatever @ him, I don’t mind! |
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Post by seechem on Aug 4, 2019 7:57:56 GMT -6
N E R O
a Saviour of Serora
'writing my poems for the few that look to me, took to me, shook to me, feeling me'
... ...
"A blade is quicker than your friend there, my dear," the unicorn crooned over Nero's shoulder to Zasha. The saviour tensed as he continued, "Are you sure that's what you want to do?" Calmly, the roan started weighing up his options, trying desperately to calculate how fast he would have to move to stop anyone getting hurt.
"Like it or not," the unicorn's attention snapped back to Nero, and he fixed the bandit with a cold copper glare in return, "Aodh has had a fixation with this child since the moment he drew his first breath. There was a choice; and the choice to defend him has brought our country nothing but death and ruin."
"Then don't let there deaths be in vain. Don't-" He winced as the unicorn pushed the blade further, drawing blood, as it remained pressed against the wound.
"Are you prepared to allow even more to be harmed in your name?" Nero looked up to see the unicorn goading Noatak, and the saviour looked back the foal.
"Noatak, it's okay." He tried to reassure the terrified youngster.
"Let's not be foolish." Eyrin's voice reached Nero briefly, but blood was rushing in his ears, and the saviour was too deep in his own mind to fully hear the words his colleague spoke.
A sound like booming thunder, accompanied by a horrific screech, dragged Nero from his thoughts. Terror swept through his body, and he jolted in alarm as a wild Thunderbird swooped down to land among the group. The ground shook at the impact, and Nero yelped as the blade tore at his shoulder. He could hear Zasha talking to Rook, crying desperately to her familiar and protector. Then her words turned to screams, screaming his name in panic.
"Zash-" Nero started, but watched as the two shared a moment, before her companion leapt into the air. The sound of the two Thunderbird's colliding echoed painfully in the air, gnashing and screeching filled the sky as the two giants fought above their heads.
Alcaeus challenged the bandits, and coupled with the commotion above, the saviour felt this was his best opportunity.
"I did warn you." He spoke, almost softly, to the unicorn before he moved.
The blade ripped free of him, as the roan spun on his hooves, tugging on his goggles, and dashed towards Noa. His heartbeat echoed in his ears, so slow compared with the rate of his hoof beats. The sand flurried behind him in a cloud as he reached the pegasus. Too fast and he could kill Noa, but just enough would push him clear of the blade.
Nero gathered his steps, pacing himself as if before a jump, before swooping his head low and using it to push Noa backwards as he snatched the dagger from the air. Nero steadied himself and turned sharply in the sand, blanketing the surroundings in a flurry of dust. Exhaustedly he stopped. The wind finally tore through his mane as he dropped back to normality.
The saviour shielded the child a little as he fixed the unicorn with a cold glare, "I think you all need to leave." He spoke between heavy breaths, holding the dagger aloft. "Before you lose more than your vendetta against this child." Nero was familiar with surgical equipment, and had toyed with Madden's daggers, but he had not idea how to handle the blade correctly or skilfully and hoped that someone else in the group knew more than he did.   Word Count: 615 Post #7 --- Level 4 Hyper Speed also means he is unseen and unheard at his fastest - however, as he pushes Noa back and grabs the dagger, he likely would have been visible to avoid harming the kid. However, Nero is now pretty dang wiped out |
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Post by FaunaFawn on Aug 4, 2019 15:06:16 GMT -6
 NoatakFledglingIt was only getting worse, it always got worse before it got better right? He sniffled and tried his best to push himself away from the dagger, that was so close to his throat. Or how the adults argued over his story, his life story that had followed him, he didnt mean for others to die. He didn't mean for this war, he'd change it if he could, he would honestly. Yet everything was happening, all to much at once. Zasha was suddenly yelling and his head whipped to her as she was pleading to Rook and his heart raced all the more. "Don't hurt them please!" he nearly cried out, Don't hurt any of them. He didn't ask for this.
He looked to the adults pleading for a way out, pleading for a chance for them all to walk away from this unharmed. The cry and the sudden attack of the two thunderbirds shook Noa to his core as he tried his best to step back all the more, struggling here, not noticing the fine slice on his neck as he tried his best to not be so frightened. Yet it seemed to be a plan he didnt not catch, as within seconds everything changed.
He was pushed back, The blade no longer laid so threateningly against him and Nero stood before hi,. But he looked exhausted. "Nero?" he whispered to him as he huddled closer to him, afraid to venture out and be snatched once more by these strangers. He looked to other adults pleading for help as he found himself gathers all the more closer to Nero, knowing he was going to be in the way if Nero needed to move, but he refused to step back, refused to allow himself an inch closer to the strangers.
WC:300 | Post #6 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on Aug 4, 2019 21:15:38 GMT -6
Seble || The Folk || Post Six
The tide turned so quickly that the mare had to stare in awe for a moment, unblinkinging, just to believe that it had happened. The wild thunderbird and Rook seemed to be a good enough distraction for the water bandits, as Nero was suddenly disappeared while the birds took the attention away from him. With a sudden reappearance, the stallion knocked the pegasus's blade away from Noa's neck, pulling the child free of his captors, and returning to his place...looking exhausted. She could imagine that his powers had to have drained him, despite the fact that she didn't have a blessing of her own to utilize. In fact, the mare had very few traits that she could use to protect the child, but she'd be damned if she let someone get at him again.
Taking a few steps towards Nero, the mare narrowed her eyes, and flared out her hummingbird wings, threatening in stance. Her hooves sank into the earth as she moved, but the edges of them glinted sharp in the light, daring someone to challenge her, so she could crack some skulls open with them.
WC: 190
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Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 5, 2019 22:28:55 GMT -6
Coniah did not flinch when a second Thunderbird made themselves known, the air around them bending to the pulse of their wings. His blue eyes remained fixated between Noatak and Nero. "Nothing you can provide, I'm sure," Coniah replied coolly to Eyrin's inquiry, his voice rising to avoid being drowned out by the avians racing above them. Ozora's blade shifted slightly as Noatak strained against it, preventing it from slicing too deeply into the child's throat. She knew as well as anyone that he was of no use to them dead; it was highly unlikely that Aodh or the Council would be interested in negotiating for a body. Coniah's ear angled slightly towards the pegasus as Alcaeus spoke, though otherwise did not acknowledge their words. He knew better that to rise to their bait- although anyone with a sharp eye may have caught the small shake of his head he gave, his eyes narrowing at the golden pegasus holding Noatak as she bristled at the words. With a sharp gasp from Ozora, the atmosphere of the confrontation changed. The blade she once held firmly in her teke was now grasped by the individual that had only moments ago stood on the other side of Coniah's blade. Even from here the opal unicorn could feel the waves of fury that emanated from his winged companion, and he leaped forward as she drew another weapon from her side. {Separate the child, the rest don't matter} the words thundered through the minds of the Water Bandits instantaneously. ________________________________________________________________Post #4 | Word Count: 254
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 6, 2019 13:28:53 GMT -6
The Thunderbirds to perfectly still waiting for the other to attack. The little equine screamed again and again, but Thunderbird nor water bandit paid them mind and then snap. Wings beat into the air and battle was born, violent screeches above as the wild thunderbird, lost under mind control and existing rage for this filthy domestic weak thing that had plied it self to equine will, one as pathetic as one of their children. It made it easier for Arizona to control, yet if it would break free, it would just as easily come after them, enraged that it’s mind was enslaved by her. A cocky confidence made her risk it anyway. They’d just need to get out with the kid before the fight came to an end.
Atacama was being buzzy watching both the thunderbirds and the exchange in conversation. They guessed the kid was worth more than this bunch could offer if Coniah didn't deem their offer valuable. That meant they had to hoal the brat out of here. Heh. Too bad. Meanwhile however one of their opponents moved in a flash faster than eye could track and in a moment Ozara's blade was wrenched away.
Coniah's voice thundered in their ears, Arizona frowning, still focused on the thunderbird above and her cloaking below. Atacama yelled a quick "Yes, boss!" in reply and then was moving, making a grab for Noatak while shaping the earth between him and the rest of his band. "Sorry, kiddo, gotta come with me." They said, managing to actually sound sympathetic, as they reached out with their teke to grab him by the neck. They wanted to throw him over their back, quietly wondering if they had taken a bag. Would be much easier at least.
Post 2 | 293 words
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Post by Artistic Pineapple on Aug 6, 2019 15:18:41 GMT -6
Zasha & Rook Serora Fledgling & Quetzalcoatl Familiar
The moment Nero moved, Zasha lept into the air. She hadn't known exactly what he was going to do, but acted anyway. She dropped from the sky beside the savior and Noa, facing the assailants just as the opal unicorn drew another blade from their side. Zasha's teke grasped for the dagger and found Nero nearly dropped it in his exhaustion. She turned the blade over to familiarize herself with it quickly, then readied herself in a lowered stance. Noatak was behind her spread wings and the young filly pinned her ears in defiance. The sounds of the thunderbirds couldn't drown out her final threat.
"Leave my brother alone!" Her little voice shouted.
Her eyes picked up the earth moving between them again but this time, Zasha was ready.
"We need to fly!" She warned her new friend before leaping sideways and skyward, her teke awkwardly pulling Noatak away from the earth as his wings offered lift upward. She heard Atacama's words to Noa and struck out at the foreign teke with the dagger before pushing the smaller colt further skyward.
She didn't know just how well he could fly, but hoped he could stay airborne well-enough to stay away from those who were grounded. Once off the ground, she flapped wings strengthened by months spent above Sedo's sands and fought to keep the smaller colt above her. It was mostly Noa flailing his wings while leaning heavily into Zasha's back for support, but at least they were above the shifting earth, now. She hoped that Seble would follow them upward, knowing the dagger she held would only do so much with Noa's limited ability of flight.
"That's it!" She encouraged, hoping the situation wouldn't ruin flying for him. "Just keep flapping your wings and make sure you're doing it together!"
Not too far from where they flailed but much higher, the thunderbirds writhed in the air. Screams split the sky and Zasha recognized (with her heart in her throat and tears in her eyes) which ones where Rook's.
The wild bird was larger than he was and she struck at his eyes and chest with rabid fury. He parried her frenzied blows with grapples of his own, catching her taloned hind legs before they dug too deep into his flesh and turning his face just enough to prevent her beak from catching his eyes. It didn't mean that the times she ripped his skin didn't still hurt. Feathers landed in the sand below, spattered with blood from them both.
But Rook could sense who was controlling her, now. He could feel the control for his own mind still struggling for a hold, grasping at the fringes of his primal thoughts. Though he couldn't see where the horse controlling his opponent stood, he could sense their presence in the sand below.
Another invisible horse.
His eyes darted to the rising shapes of Zasha and Noatak below, then Rook let out a strangled cry as the wild thunderbird tore into his chest with her beak before his talons caught her by the face. With his wings free of her attacks, the quetzalcoatl forced his opponent and himself down into the sand below - directly on top of where he sensed the mind-controlling horse to be standing.
The crash of their massive bodies into the earth sent up a wave of sand and stone, a landing that neither would escape unscathed from.
WC: 583 | Post #7
(Rook does a downward yeet and Zasha gives flying lessons) |
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Post by FaunaFawn on Aug 7, 2019 16:58:11 GMT -6
NoatakFledgling The screams of the thunderbirds fighting made Noa cower down more, it seemed more and more strangers were appearing, what was going on? Had no one else spotted them? Did they venture to far away from safety? Noa lowered himself more, he was frightened, he was scared and he did not want anyone to die, he had witnessed it before with the birth of his sister, how Adhara died. They say thats how his own mother died... He looked to Nero and Zasha as she appeared before them, defending him so valiantly, she was a force to be reckoned with. He looked to Nero with fear, he looked so tired so exhausted. Was there no escape for them?
The earth began to shake, and he felt panic rise again, they were trying to seperate him from his flock, his little herd. Yet Zasha as clever as she is quick, was able to move him, help him up into the air. Which only made him more nervous. Large wings, overly large wings for his body seemed to flap. One two three, he counted as he tried his best to stay up in the air, Even with Zasha's help he felt clumsy, he could keep himself in the air for bit, but for how long? His landing could also use some work. He gulped all the more and looked to Zasha for guidance. "Should we have left Nero alone?" he asked breathlessly looking down and the other adults. "Im not a very good flyer Zasha." he nervously spilled out.
Noa watched as Seble moved closer to Nero and prayed they cold scare away the strangers, he looked outwards as she tried to get higher into the sky away from their grasp, away from their eyes. He gulped nervously as he faltered here and there with his wings, trying to go higher and higher.
WC:311 | Post #7 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on Aug 7, 2019 17:19:43 GMT -6
Seble || The Folk || Post Seven
The situation was already crazy before the wild thunderbird had shown up, but Seble had to admit that the creature made quite the distraction, its hulking body huge against the sand, squaring off with Rook. She would have loved to examine the creatures farther, but there were other matters to attend to, which called for her more immediate attention. While the two birds spiraled skyward, clawing and trying to downright eviscerate each other, Seble flared her wings, ready to fly if need be, glaring at the water bandits. Something seemed to ripple through them, a voice she couldn't hear, and they sprang into action. One of them forced a wall of earth towards the others, trying to separate Noa from the herd once more. While Zasha cried out to Noa to fly, dragging him into the sky, Seble found her own wings, pushing upward and over the wall of dirt.
Knowing that Nero would be stuck on the ground, Seble vowed to stay close to their band's leader, lest something happen to him. He seemed to be exhausted from using his blessing, and Seble knew that if he were left completely alone, he'd make an easy target. Once she'd gotten above the wall of earth, Seble scanned the ground, searching for who she would attack first. Before she could make a decision, the thunderbirds came crashing down, sending a wave of sandy dearth into the air where they landed. The ground shook from their weight.
Falling back to earth, Seble landed beside Nero. "We have to cut the snake's head off," she said, shaking her head in a manner to indicate a unicorn horn - the opal-horned leader. "If the two of us can take him out, Zasha and Noa should be safe," she commented, glaring in the stallion's direction. Without waiting for Nero to answer, the mare launched forward, extricating herself from the stranger's earthen attack, and making a B-line for the leader.
WC: 325
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Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 7, 2019 21:46:30 GMT -6
Noatak was wrenched out of reach again as the youngest among the group seemed to take charge of his safety; forcing him upwards into the air. They were not alone in the sky, ear splitting screeches and great buffets of wind an undeniable reminder of the titans that fought above. A flurry of feathers and blood rained down upon the sand as the beasts locked claws, and even Coniah found it was difficult to concentrate with a secondary battle taking place just overhead. Flickers of thoughts pushed past his mind, and Coniah's attention snapped towards a pegasus that stood among the group. Their plans evaded the reach of his mind, but he could understand their attentions, the threat all too obvious. What remained of Coniah's facade of pleasantness was wiped away as he turned to face his opponents, a hard glint in his eye. He brandished his sword before him, the steel catching the light with a glint. Patience was a virtue- and one he had plenty of. The unicorn was almost statuesque in nature until the distance between them closed, and with a suddenness he danced away, his blade whirling. Above them, there was a loud pop, and suddenly Ozora was airborne, golden wings stretched wide as she was launched into the air. A grim expression was worn on her muzzle as she worked to evade the Thunderbird fight taking place just above her head, her eyes narrowed on her targets. Knocking them from the sky posed too much of a risk of injury upon contact with the ground- but she had another idea. They were determined, yes; but they were young and inexperienced in aerial combat. Summoning the gift that flowed through her veins, Ozora suddenly popped into existence above their heads. With an ease that spoke of practice, she began to plummet towards the younger pegasi, her large wings spreading wide in an attempt to force them into a landing. ________________________________________________________________Post #5 | Word Count: 323
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Post by seechem on Aug 8, 2019 12:46:02 GMT -6
N E R O
a Saviour of Serora
'writing my poems for the few that look to me, took to me, shook to me, feeling me'
......
Nero practically dropped the dagger into Zasha's teke. He had watched her hurried approach through a fractured lens of speed and reality. Having her at his side, even for a second, grounded him to the severity of the situation. The children needed to get out of here. His heart thundered, and just as he turned to her, she was urging Noatak into the air.
"Keep him airborne and away from them." Nero shouted to her, "No matter what." The stranger, whose dagger now lay with Zasha, was charging towards them and causing the ground to shift. But Nero was wise to their tactics and moved faster than the earth manipulation. He dared a quick glance skyward to see Zasha struggling with Noatak, but the two were certainly making progress.
An ear-piercing shriek came from the brawling goliaths above them, and Nero winced as Rook slammed his opponent into the ground, shaking the sand beneath them even further.
A moment later, Seble was at his side. Nero looked to her carefully, "We need to cut the snake's head off." She spoke. He knew who she meant immediately.
"The others." Nero replied, scrunching his eyebrows in concern and tiredness, "They need to escape...and Eyrin." His fellow saviour, bound to a contraption so that he could move.
"If the two of us can take him out, Zasha and Noa should be safe." She may be right, Nero gulped as his heart throbbed in his chest. But before he could respond, the pegasus mare propelled herself towards their foe, dodging the jutted pieces of earth and heading for the unicorn.
"Rynn, Alcaeus." Nero shouted, backing a few steps towards them, "You need to help the children, I don't know how much longer Zasha can keep him in the air." He gulped down air desperately. "And someone needs to help Eyrin keep clear of the carnage." he looked to his fellow saviour, grief in his eyes at the condition he had put him in. Another mistake. If only they had stayed closer to the encampment. "I'm so sorry." He dug his hooves into the dirt as he fought the shaking in his body.
The world slowed around him comfortingly, even as he body burned beneath him. He watched as Seble advanced, as the unicorn danced away from her, blade glinting. The pegasus whose blade he had stolen was no longer on the ground. The children would not be alone up there for long. But for now, he needed to decide where he attacked. Seble may be right, that if the leader were injured enough...or even killed, the others would lose heart. Or, his hooves chorused beneath him, they would be enraged and seek vengeance. The children were the priority, however, and Nero knew their best bet was to get them back to the Oasis for reinforcements.
"I'll stay and defend Eyrin, and try and get him out of the fight." He turned towards Seble, "But I will go to her if she needs me." His head snapped back to the other two pegasi, faster than he should have been able to, "Get those children to safety. No matter what." Nero took up a firm stance beside Eyrin, arching his neck and bracing his shoulders as he quaked with dying energy. He kept one eye on Seble's advance, and another on his surroundings. He only hoped Alya would give him enough energy to get them out of here in one piece.
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 10, 2019 13:47:43 GMT -6
Eyrin | Saviour
Eyrin was growing tired of this nonesense, anger boiling inside along with fear as events moved past quicker than he could quite comprehend. How dare they? He grit his teeth, trying to find a moment of opportunity, but his fear made him hesistate, indecissive, afraid to make the wrong move. It seemed children were braver than him, watching as Zasha moved forward, grasping a fallen weapon and spurring the other kids into action. Okay. Enough was enough.
“Go with them!” he yelled towards Pangolin as Zasha and Noatak made a break for it. “Deeper inside the Oasis, quick!”
He heard Nero yell, his fellow saviour clearly tired, barely holding on as he trembled, yet he was suggesting protection of him. Eyrin felt his stomach turn sour, cold sweat on his skin. He might not be a warrior, he might not yield a blessing of great power, but... Ears flattened and he pushed forward. No time to sit back in fear. With a cry much unlike his usual self, he charged towards Coniah as they charged for Seble. “Stay away,” he yelled as he made to barge into him, quite litteraly throwing his weight into the battle.
Post 4 | 196 words
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Post by foalish on Aug 10, 2019 22:16:53 GMT -6
Alcaeus
His threats fell on deaf ears, garnering little reaction in the chaos that whirled around him. But too much was going on for him to care about such things.
In an instance, the foals were flying away, thunderbirds were fighting above them, Nero had diverted a blade, and there was probably countless more things going on he couldn’t even notice in the seconds that it all passed.
Nero’s instructions didn’t miss his ears, as his wings had already opened, the Pegasus taking flight to follow the younger kids, up in the air, who were trying to make an escape.
They were inexperienced, and it wasn’t too hard to catch up with them, close enough to be on their trail; he noticed how they struggled up close, one even admitting that readily.
Alcaeus half watched Ozora in the commotion, as they flew, trying to keep track of everything in the sky around them. For a moment, they were far enough away, that he didn’t think twice - and a second later, the Pegasus was in a completely different spot - Blessing - and maneuvering to take the foals out of the air.
He was too far to move in the foals’ place in the air in the short time everything happened. But he tried to act, none the less, disregarding his own safety, he was quick to react - flicking the end of his wing in the path of Ozora’s, aiming to clip her wing with his - and set her off path.
WC: 249 | Post 4 |
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Post by Artistic Pineapple on Aug 11, 2019 13:43:53 GMT -6
Zasha & Rook Serora Fledgling & Quetzalcoatl Familiar
Noatak fought desperately to keep himself in the air, eyes wide with fear as the thunderbirds crashed into the sand. "Look at me!" Zasha nearly begged him. "Don't look down and don't worry! Just look at me!" She had to keep his mind focused on flying - something the filly had learned from experience. Her wings had kept her aloft for hours at a time, but it was clear that Noa and Pangolin both lacked the same level of skill she had been forced to achieve.
It probably didn't help that the filly was crying, big soppy tears fell from her eyes as she tried to take control of the situation all on her own; the sight of Rook crashing into the sand had startled her completely. All she wanted to do was drop down beside the sand-covered bodies that writhed painfully below and help him back up. Was he okay?
The small filly grit her teeth to the extra strain of keeping her new friends in the air and righted their course toward the hub of the oasis. It seemed hopelessly far away from where they were now and fatigue was beginning to rack her petite form. At the sound of the air making room for a new body just above them, Zasha yelped. A pegasus was descending steeply, wings outstretched.
There was little she could do except for grip the dagger she held tighter and wave it wildly at the stranger above, a primal squeal escaping from between her lips as fear crawled up her spine and adrenaline took hold. Her eyes caught the flash of Alcaeus as his wing clipped the bandit's and for a moment, she thought it may be enough to upset the path of the descending pegasus. Did the end of her dagger catch flesh?
ZASHA!
Just below the flying figures, Rook lept from the sand and into the air once again, his avian roar defiant and irate. Silt poured from his feathers as pained wingbeats pulled him skyward once more, aiming to catch the children across his broad back before they fell from the sky on their own. Gashes across his face leaked crimson and below his feathery hide, wounds screamed. A hind leg ached with a pain that suggested a broken bone, but all that mattered to the Quetzalcoatl was Zasha. His opponent was still struggling to get up, hopefully down for the count.
Zasha's head snapped toward the rising shape of Rook, their bond being the only needed communication between them. "Drop down to Rook's back!" She instructed Noa and Pangolin, folding her wings tightly and pulling them down with her.
WC: 458 | Post #8 |
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 11, 2019 14:38:29 GMT -6
Atacama was a bit to slow it seemed as the foal escaped their grasp and leapt into the air. Thumbleweed. Their own flying skills weren’t too great, much more preferring the ground. Ironic for a child of the sky, but perhaps the reason the earth goddess had blessed them with ground manipulation. Who knew. They unfolded their relativally small wings and was about to pursue the pair, wait no, trio. So many kids.
A loud screech however made them look above and aside as the thunderbirds came thundering down. They would have laughed at their own little word play if not for fear for Arizona. Said donkey cursed, trying to get the wild thunderbird to push trajectory away from her. Her invisibility flickered for a moment before giving out completly, landing side still to close.
“Sis!” Atacama pulled at the earth around them, throwing up a barrier around Arizona to shield. It crumbled just as promptly as it had risen once the impact was made, Atacama breaking out in swear. Arizona was still standing. They sighted in relief as their sister emerged from the rubble, even blood dripped down the side of her face. Alive, okay.
They wanted out of here and fast, it was getting too risky. Coniah however wanted the foal. With a huff, they looked for someone not occupied yet and saw the tired grey equine who had gotten the foal out in the first place. Raising their spear they pointed it towards Nero. “Please just give up. We’re really just wasting energy here,” they said mildly annoyed as they advanced. Nothing could ever go easy.
Meanwhile Arizona was standing to the side, now exposed and huffing as she fought for control. The impact had broken her concentration and she felt the push back as the anger of the wild mythical had grown in their moment of freedom. It was a blessing it was dazed from impact, the smaller one already getting up and, she silently thanked Alya, flying off. The wild one shook its head furiously screeching. She willed it away as it laid eyes on here, again cursing. The anger was all consuming and the only thing she could do was direct it away from herself and her companions. Luckily for her it seemed to have a vendetta against its own and took after the colorful feathers of Rook.
Post 3 | 396 words
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Post by FaunaFawn on Aug 11, 2019 15:00:15 GMT -6
NoatakFledgling Eyes took hold of the sight of Zasha as she begged them to look at her. He couldn't refuse, he needed this sort of command, he could no longer take charge of himself and fear was such a sinister tool that was used against him. He nodded helplessly and looked to Pangolin and worried for their sake as well. It was not fair... He prayed in his mind desperately for Alya to come, come forth and help them. Yet at times though the Gods do not answer prayers, and sometimes no answer was an answer in itself.
"Ahh!" He screamed as someone appeared in their flight. His wings going uneven, his flight sinking at the sight of them. Though Alcaeus was quick moved fast to try and drive them off course, a clip at the wings, and Noa continued to sink lower down, unknowingly to him. His blessing coming into use, as he phased himself in and out, fear tightening its hold ever more on him.
Yet everything seemed to come to their aid, and part of him to young to even wonder, doubted his own worth. Was he worth all of this? Rook was up, and coming towards them, but he saw the blood and marks, and his heart tightened, tears falling down as he trembled. Thankfully Zasha took both Pangolin and himself down, moving them towards the back of Rook, but as he moved down to Rook. He looked over and stilled like a deer. Heart racing as he watched the thunderbird rise up and move towards Rook. "Its coming back!" he panicked and looked to them, and Alceaus and the other other winged threat that surely would have to deal with Alcaeus now. "We can't stay on him, we have to move we have too." Each second seemed to match the wings of the opposing thunderbird.
He looked to them, to Rook, Zasha, Pangolin, looked to the others that seemed to be off fighting another battle. This wasn't right. It wasn't fair. Still the fear and doubt crept into his heart. Was he worth their lives? The apparent lives of thousands in a war he knew so little of... So in his little heart he watched it all and with heavy sadness he took the weight of it all, on small frail shoulders and accepted a small fact. It was his fault. His fault perhaps his father had left him and his family, his fault his own mother died, his fault for the war and now this. His fault.
Noa looked to other two kids and pleaded with them with his eyes, before suddenly he jumped off of Rooks back and did his best to try and glide back down to the ground. He didn't want to be in Rooks way, adn with a wild thunderbird coming at them... He knew what damage they could deal. Death.
WC:480 | Post #8 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on Aug 11, 2019 16:02:54 GMT -6
Seble || The Folk || Post Eight
The mare's vibrantly colored wings flared out as she sped towards the opal-horned water-bandit, her eyes narrowed. With a squeal, the mare was about to reach out, and bite at him, when her attention was grabbed by the other events going on around her. At the last second, she swept to the side, dancing out of her intended path to look over to her side, where the thunderbirds were beginning to rise from their interlocked battle in the sand. Another equine had shown up, supported by Actama, as they threw up a wall of earth to support her from the Thunderbirds' falling right on top of her. The chimera mare blinked, surprised to see the new bandit emerge from thin air. She supposed it made sense, the way the wild bird had been acting, but it was still a shock to her.
Before she could think about much else, the thunderbird was taking another charge in Rook's direction....and Noa leaped from the bird's back, gliding down rather ungracefully towards the earth. Knowing that the colt was the reason that the bandits were here, Seble screamed his name as she watched him fall, praying that he made it a safe distance away. Whipping back around, she faced off with Coniah, baring her teeth at him.
"I don't know why you think this is the noble thing to do," she spat at him, hoping to catch him off guard with an insult, "but you're not going to get away with it," she vowed, purple eyes flashing angrily as she glared at him.
WC: 260
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Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 11, 2019 23:21:11 GMT -6
Noatak dropped steadily from the sky, and for a brief moment, triumph bloomed in Ozora's chest. The sensation was just as quickly dashed as something hard smashed into her wing, sending the golden pegasus reeling as she struggled to right herself. A guttural snarl was ripped from her throat as she wheeled to face the offending pegasus, eyes gleaming with hatred. They would work this hard to protect a child that had done nothing for them, the life of one that had been deemed more important than the survival of many others, or the lasting political peace between two countries. A child that had been the heart of this war, for whom generations might now feel the lasting effects of a needless war. Fury for those that had been lost -for those she had lost- drove her downwards with a cry of rage, aiming directly at Alcaeus. On the ground, Coniah was briefly distracted by the crash of the thunderbird, the prickle of Arizona's mind against his informing him she had survived the avian's crash. From the corner of his eye, he watched as Noatak began to drop closer to the ground, before his attention was ripped back by the furious equine crashing into his side. His breath escaped him with a soft grunt, and he stumbled for a moment before his hooves steadied beneath him, his sword swinging back towards the one who had rushed him. His eyes, cold and fuming, flickered between Eyrin and Seble, his blade held before him. "Noble? Now whoever said anything about noble?" Coniah chuckled, though his eyes remained hard as they locked on to Seble. "Those who call themselves noble very rarely have truly righteous intentions." ________________________________________________________________Post #6 | Word Count: 283
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Post by seechem on Aug 12, 2019 8:51:15 GMT -6
N E R O
a Saviour of Serora
'writing my poems for the few that look to me, took to me, shook to me, feeling me'
......
Eyrin pushed past him and began to charge at their unicorn enemy. Nero was torn between calling out to his colleague to stop, or running after him and joining in. Tiredness leached through his body, and he sent prayer after prayer to Alya that his strength might hold out until this was all over. He felt the beats of Alcaeus' wings at his back, and saw the pegasus rise in his peripheral. The world shook again, and Nero lurched sideways to catch Rook shooting up from the sand and into the air towards the three children. He watched the filly dash downwards towards her familiar's back, and the saviour briefly looked to the other two children, hoping they would do the same and get clear of the danger.
Something sharp and cold touched Nero's neck, and the saviour went still. The haggard breathing of another horse had missed his ears in the commotion, and the roan slowly turned to see one of the strangers had a spear against his throat. They were a large pegasus, and even though the horse sounded fed up with the skirmish, Nero knew he wouldn't get free on wit alone.
"Please," they growled, "just give up. We're really just wasting time here."
"Yes. You are." Nero retorted, feeling the spear's edge push that little bit harder against his throat. Behind him, Nero heard the ragged breaths of another, but didn't dare to turn to see. "For as long as I hold breath, I will not let you take that child." He narrowed his copper eyes and lifted his head defiantly, even as the world seemed to rock around him, and his eyes began to glaze with exhaustion. "You've seen what I can do," he huffed, desperately trying to conceal just how worn out he was, "and I will not let you stop me from protecting that child."
He could see Seble squaring up to the unicorn, Eyrin charging up beside her. The two had the unicorn in their sights, now Nero just had to - his eyes caught something in the air, something fluttering and gliding towards the earth. Noatak. His heart roared. What was that child doing? No, no, no. He wasn't sure he had the energy to get away from this spear and reach Noa before anyone else, much less get the child clear of the danger. The shaking in his body momentarily seemed to grow as his muscles burned with his blessing, desperate to stop, desperate for sleep. Instead he was caught. He could move quickly, but not necessarily quickly enough to avoid injury or even reach Noa. But he would do whatever it took for Noatak and the horses around him to get to safety. If Eyrin was willing to fight, so was he.
His mind screamed at him to move and make up for his mistakes. Atone, it chorused in his ears. And he would.
Without another word he skipped backwards, the spear skirting his jaw with a yelp. The saviour leaned into his haunches, the muscles quaking at the strain, and he took off. Sidestepping the pegasus, Nero angled his body so that his shoulder rammed into the pegasi's side with what speed and strength he had remaining. Nero's shoulder drove up and into their ribs. Black sparks danced in his vision, but Nero knew that he needed to buy Noatak, and the others, time to get clear and get help by whatever means necessary.
Word Count: 616 Post #9 --- Nero is ramming Atacama at about the speed of a car |
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Post by foalish on Aug 12, 2019 14:37:00 GMT -6
Alcaeus
Alcaeus was surprise for half a second when his last attempt effort actually worked - and well, that the foals had time to use their own tricks, that he didn’t have quiet enough time to question. He felt a rush of emotions coursing through him, as some part of him registered exactly, the situation they were in.
And then satisfaction he felt at knocking the horse off path, just enough, was short lived. After the second he had to take to correct his flight from a messy clip, he looked up, only to see he now had the wrath of Ozora, who looked less than pleased about his sudden involvement. And by the sound of it too.
He had about half a second to regret it - just a bit, before he was forced to react, and poorly at that.
The seconds he wasted as he corrected himself, and registered his opponent - it left him with little time to react - not enough to avoid the barreling shape above that now decided he was the target. He braced himself for impact and closed his wings close to his body, letting himself fall further away from the horse - in a half of an attempt of escape.
WC: 202 | Post 5 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on Aug 13, 2019 14:16:29 GMT -6
Seble | The Folk | Post Nine
Although the pegasus was solidly on the ground, she wanted to launch herself into the air and tear into Coniah with the fury of a thousand hungry thunderbirds. But she knew, with no blessing, no talent, she might be at a bit of a disadvantage here; she d didn't know exactly what the stallion was capable of, and she was trepidatious to find out. But as Noa floated towards the ground, she was galvanized to face off with the stallion again. Baring her teeth, the mare flattened her ears to her head, stamping a hoof on the sandy earth with a threatening motion.
"Those who call themselves noble very rarely have truly righteous intentions." It was practically a slap in the face to say that the noble horses of the Seroran herd weren't righteous in their intention. It was these horses who were trying to kidnap a child. A child.
With a furious cry, the mare flared out her wings, using them to propel herself forward. It was her goal to knock into Coniah, perhaps land a couple of bites on him, while pushing him back the way he'd come. She wasn't sure how well her plan would work, but she was going to try it, no matter what might happen.
WC: 211
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Post by ThatDenver on Aug 14, 2019 2:07:25 GMT -6
Checkpoint
With no warning, the earth vibrates hard enough to throw someone off of their feet. A storm and a pillar of opalescent light shine from beyond the rock formations and Oasis barrier.
You hear the rushing of water.
The earth trembles and the rock formations shift, even if only slightly.
The barrier vibrates.
Then, it cracks.
High above your heads, there is a visible hole in the barrier, and in what seems like only a few seconds, the hole sends cracks all across the barrier.
It shatters without a sound. Gone is the blue and gold glow and gone is the dampener between you and the rest of the world.
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Post by Artistic Pineapple on Aug 14, 2019 8:40:32 GMT -6
Zasha & Rook Serora Fledgling & Quetzalcoatl Familiar
"NOA!"
She can barely react before he's off of Rook's back and heading toward the ground. The last look exchanged between them had been so sad... apologetic, almost. The tears continued down her cheeks as the filly was forced from following, helping to keep Pangolin atop her familiar. It was all so frustrating and terrifying. She had to get back to the ground.
Meanwhile, Rook beat his massive wings in an attempt to stay ahead of the approaching wild avian predator. Their pursuer let loose a threatening scream, promising that she wasn't done in her attack quite yet. He had hoped that crashing her into the ground would have been enough to prove his dominance. If she wouldn't relent, he would do whatever was necessary to protect Zasha.
Using size to his advantage, Rook banks sharply just before her beak latches onto his tail feathers. He's smaller than she is, but that also makes him faster. She screeches in defiance, unable to bank as quickly.
Hold tight. His instructions come as an order to Zasha and the massive avian rights himself as he comes up on the wild thunderbird from behind. In two beats of his wings, he's above her before she can spin herself around completely. His talons are about to catch her when the Oasis cracks open without a sound.
So distracted by keeping hold of Pangolin and Rook, Zasha doesn't witness the barrier cracking before it shatters. Before her eyes, Sedo opens back up. For an entire moment, it feels as though everyone hesitates at the sight. Part of her heart longs to be far away from this mess, to escape back out to the desert where bandits didn't threaten children. It almost feels as though Rook considers the same plan...
The moment shatters like the barrier as Rook's talons catch the wild bird once more with a shriek.
A last warning.
Leave or face death.
It's a promise.
WC: 331 | Post #9 |
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Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 15, 2019 10:38:55 GMT -6
His blade glinted in front of him, held aloft and at the ready as Coniah's eyes flickered between the individuals confronting him. They were fueled by anger, and it made them sloppy; he doubted they would prove much of an issue. Then, the earth itself began to vibrate, thrumming with an otherworldly power. Coniah's balance shifted and at once his attacker crashed into his side, sending him careening into the unforgiving earth. His blade was sent flying from his grasp, and desperately he scrambled to put distance between himself and his opponent. His head rose in the air, and suddenly Coniah froze, for the first time his carefully groomed facade shattering to reveal a somewhat fearful and awestruck expression. His jaw slackened as he watched the barrier crack then shatter under the pressure of some unknown force. An opportunity sparked in his mind, and he glanced around at both his comrades and their adversaries, many of which were similarly fixated on the now nonexistent barrier. Hastily, he snatched his dusty weapon from the ground, held before him as he began to back away. {Leave them} his orders echoed through the minds of the water bandits, though a slight note of regret touched them. The child would have fetched a decent ransom, he was quite certain, but now more valuable information was within their reach. {See if you can use that thunderbird to cover us} he called to Arizona specifically, though he could feel the exhaustion rolling off of them. It would be best if that creature was no where near them when it broke loose. Above, his golden companion still wheeled, seemingly unfazed by the breaking barrier as she honed in on her opponent. The words of retreat seemed not to have registered with her. {Ozora!} the words thundered through her mind. Still in the air, she hovered as if weighing her options. The words roared once more through her mind, and she offered one last reproachful glare at the pegasus she was battling before popping out of existence, reappearing in the sky above Coniah's head as they began their retreat. "As entertaining as this had been, I believe it's time we take our leave," Coniah called aloud to the still gathered group. "Farewell for now."
________________________________________________________________Post #7 | Word Count: 376
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Post by ThatDenver on Aug 15, 2019 13:15:47 GMT -6
The Water Bandits are retreating at haste. With the barrier gone, the Oasis’ best defense against outside forces is gone – even among those native to Sedo, not everyone can teleport.
But now, now anyone can get into the Oasis once more. The land is free to be used.
Or abused.
And the bandits know it.
You need to choose now whether to pursue them, or let it be.
Without warning, three equines pop up in your midst: Selora, Blair, and Selora’s newborn son.
Well, that makes things interesting. It’s good that the bandits are already on the run.
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Post by foalish on Aug 15, 2019 16:07:28 GMT -6
Alcaeus
The immediate impact he was expecting didn’t come - one second he was watching the other Pegasus barrel towards him, and a second later, they were gone.
There was an acute moment after that where he watched the barrier that had kept them safe shatter, almost like glass. It seemed to hold his attention, more than the teleporting foe’s disappearance.
With a turn of his head through the wind was when Alcaeus finally realized that he was barreling towards the ground; a panicked bile raising in his throat as he turned around in air, correcting his fall and opening his wings.
There was a moment where all he felt was nothing. A single moment of hope that he’d caught himself with just enough time. But then suddenly the pain rushing up his outstretched leg - the first of his body to break his fall. Then where he knew he felt the sound of crunching bones before he felt it, where his breath was knocked out so violently, his vision turned black; the ribs around the shoulder that had impacted first, stinging like a thousand pins and needs every time he took a breath once he was on the ground.
He didn’t need a medic to tell him at least a few bones were broken.
He raised his head slowly, wincing at the pain that came with shuffling - and very carefully - he opened his wings, sighing a breath of relief when it was clear he was fine there - at least everything but that leg and the ribs around it. But already, he was feeling the numb sensation of his blessing taking over, starting to heal the broken parts of him.
Once he knew his own state, he looked up, eyes wide as his gaze took not a second finding Selora, now in the presence of the dying commotion. His feathers fluffed up as he looked at the very young foal next to her - his son?
A second later, despite his own pain, he was on three of his feet, slowly moving her way, his gaze a very big mix of confusion, surprise and relief at the sight of her. ”Selora?“ he broke his silence, confusion and concern far more evident on his voice than pain, ”are you alright?”
WC: 385 | Post 6 |
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