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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 18, 2019 12:10:11 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post One | 244 Words
A cool breeze toyed with Piper's mane, causing it to tickle her neck. She snorted and tossed her head, relishing the cool air under the hot sun. Her hooves sunk deep into the sand as she traveled towards Osulas once more. Or, rather, what used to be Osulas.
After leaving her last group of nomads behind, she had made her way to the what used to be the city. She had heard rumors of its' destruction, but hadn't had a chance to see it for herself. Now that the war had died out, she had made her way to what was now a massive lake. She had been awestruck by the sight of it. The tales of its' size were one thing, but to see it for herself was another.
With her curiosity sated, she had sent out a call looking for a traveling companion. It had taken a few days, but she had finally received a response. She would be meeting him here, near the lake, so that they could decide if they truly wanted to travel together. She couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness gripping at her heart. All she knew was that he was another screamer and that he was a few years older than her. What was he like? Did he already have a group that he was protecting? Would they even get along?
All that was left to do was wait and find out. |
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 21, 2019 11:29:32 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
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WC: 443 | Post: 1It had been a long time since Whirlwind had seen Osulas, and that long ago it had been filled with bustling streets, beautiful homes and bright colors. Now, it was a shell of what it had been, albeit filled with life bringing water. He saw it before he arrived, dragging his hooves after traveling and running for so long. Now that the war was over, he could breathe, or so he thought. At first, he thought that perhaps the remains were not but a mirage; a specter taunting him from afar. Just like many Serorans, he didn't have a permanent home, and so what home was to him was relative.
Was it a mental state, or a state of the heart? Was home a person? Was it a location he could settle in? No, that didn't happen in Serora. He was growing stagnant in his work, and tired from how much energy that war had taken out of him. Finding a partner to work with... well.... it disgusted him, but it equally relieved him. He didn't have to watch over his shoulder all the time, he could rest as he needed without worrying if he closed his eyes that he'd lose a life of the ones he was protecting, or his own.
The letter had come as no surprise, as there were often people looking for some sort of aid, work, or safety. He usually ignored them as they came, and moved them along. This time, in his weary state and with a hesitant heart, he returned the call with an acceptance of his own to a mare named Sandpiper. He paused just at the ridge of the hill beyond Osulas for all but a moment. All that he gave himself was a moment, and one last deep breath before he headed down the slope towards their meeting place.
He knew if he allowed himself to ponder any longer, he'd just turn around and leave; and by now he knew he'd not hold up to solitude for much longer. He stepped across the dusty ground, eyes scouring the landscape for a this Sandpiper. By now, he was near the water, his green cloak whisking about his frame in the gentle breeze. It sure felt lovely in the heat of the day. Usually he travelled by night but with desperate times came desperate measures.
He needed rest. It showed in the way he stood, his whole body sunken in on itself, eyes hollow and rimmed with dark circles. He didn't look so proud today. He looked defeated, and perhaps there was something in his pride that was wounded in having to ask for help. |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 21, 2019 12:07:51 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Two | 317 Words
As the moments dragged on, Piper grew more uncertain and more impatient. Surely, he should be here by now? Her ears flattened in frustration before she took a breath. He wasn't late, she just needed to be-
Her eyes darted to the horizon line as she spotted a speck of green and brown crest the hill. She watched for a moment as they approached the lake and paused before she made her move. She skirted the edge of the lake at a steady pace, not eager to run in the heart. Not if she didn't have to. As she approached him, she took stock of the stranger in front of her, her gaze sweeping over his form.
He was shorter than her, although not by much. His frame was lighter than hers and his golden coat was accented with marks of crimson. He was well equipped for his job, which brought her some comfort. She hadn't expected any less. However, it was his posture that she found most striking. He looked truly miserable and absolutely exhausted. He had the eyes of someone who had done too much on far too little rest. The eyes of someone who had seen war.
She had had limited participation. Besides focusing on her training, her group of nomads had steered clear as best as they could - but they were not untouched by war. They had felt the hardships as much as the rest of the herd, but had not experienced the violence first hand. For that, she was grateful.
Her teke glowed as she tugged her mask off to the side, tucking it under one of the straps of her harness as she regarded him.
"Wind beneath your wings," she started, nodding her head to the stallion. "My name is SandPiper. You must be the one who responded to my letter...?" She trailed off, trying to get a read on him. |
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 21, 2019 12:47:53 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
"-"
WC: 258 | Post: 2For a moment, Whirlwind almost thought he'd get unlucky, and be on his way by himself. Well, he could always wait around for a while longer. If she didn't show, then she didn't show. However, that thought was quickly warded off by a flicker of color to his left. She was light, well suited to this desert heat. He didn't offer her so much as a smile, turning his head to face her and bowing his head if just slightly in greeting.
It was almost a relief to see another face, as since he'd left his caravan he'd been by himself for quite some time. He watched her for a moment, as though judging her character. He couldn't see much, especially in his weary state. There was never a reason to worry before, but he couldn't help but feel uneasy in new company since all had gone south. It had been a short war. It had accomplished nothing in his opinion, and left him bitter.
"Yes, my name is Whirlwind," He murmured, his tone flat and just as tired as he looked. "You must be SandPiper."
She was bigger than him, and that was nothing new or surprising. It didn't take much for someone to be larger than him. She looked young, and fit. She'd do just fine. At this point, personality took a backseat to skill. "Tell me about yourself. Where's your caravan?" As much as he wasn't one for small talk or such trivialities, this was necessary. This was all he had the energy for today. |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 21, 2019 13:55:46 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Three | 281 Words
"A pleasure to meet you, Whirlwind," she said, getting the formalities out of the way. Her ears went askew as he continued. "What would you like to know? My family traveled the lands south of here, so I'm more familiar with the southern half of Serora, save for the Sear. What about you?" His next question caught her off guard and she flattened her ears slightly.
"I left my previous caravan after I ensured their safety during the war. I'm seeking a new one to join. Where's yours?" She asked. It had been about a month since she had left the small family band behind. They had been kind enough to her, as she was just starting to really get a feel for her new role as a screamer. They had been patient enough with her, but she had found that she needed a change of pace. She could almost feel the judgmental gaze of the elders she had protected.
The longer she watched him, the more she felt that standing out in the open might not be in his best interests. It looked as though a particularly strong gust might blow him over. "Are you-" She cut herself off. She had meant to ask if he was alright, but it was a stupid question. Clearly he was not fine. "Do you wanna take this conversation somewhere else? It'd be nice to get out of this sunlight," she offered, dropping the proper language for good. If they headed southwest towards The God's Landing, they might have luck finding some shade - that was if he didn't have a caravan of his own to take shelter with.
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 21, 2019 14:54:31 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
"-"
WC: 240 | Post: 3With just one halfhearted glance her way, Whirlwind's expression said all that SandPiper needed to know. He was more than happy to get out of this sunlight, as he'd been trudging through it all day and his hood did little to protect him, especially now that he had it pulled down to converse with her. He nodded. "Some shade would be great. Wanna just talk on the way?" He was plenty casual with his speech, so he didn't mind the change in hers either. He hardly noticed her concern, turning and motioning for her to lead. "I haven't been around these parts in some time. Would you like to lead?"
He stood a bit taller, moving and placing his feet delicately like they were sore. He could use to invest in some horseshoes, but he knew he'd chew through them in no time at all. He began speaking again before waiting for her to guide him to some shelter. "I am from the central parts of the Ziuseset. I grew up along the Nirros River. I just left my caravan behind. I guided them to safety for now, and I came to retrieve you and perhaps find... easier work for the time being." The hurt was clear in his voice. Admitting it was a sore subject, one he wasn't too keen on discussing. "I'm afraid that until I- until we all recover from the hardships of war, we'll be... limited." |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 21, 2019 15:19:22 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Four | 224 Words
Piper nodded, not bothering a response as she took the lead. She cast her gaze back occasionally, making sure he was keeping up. Just watching him move made her cringe and she quickly turned her gaze ahead. Selfishly, she was glad she had not had a greater involvement in the war.
"I understand. Have you heard of the city of Alhaj?" She asked, sweeping her gaze across the land before her as they left the ruins of Osulas behind. "I haven't seen it for myself, but I hear that it is becoming more and more populated by the day. We might have luck finding travelers who want safe passage," Piper suggested, before craning her neck to look at him again.
"There is certainly no rush though. If you'd prefer time to heal and rest, that would be good," She said with a flick of her tail. She hoped her mentioning his current state wouldn't offend him, but he looked like a wreck. He didn't appear to be in any shape to take on any adversaries they might come across. Especially if the rumors of the Thunderbird attacks were true. She wasn't sure she could hold them off on her own.
"Did you come from a large family?" She asked him, sighing pleasantly as another breeze played with her cape.
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 21, 2019 16:00:18 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
"-"
WC: 297 | Post: 4Was it that obvious; his current condition? He self consciously lifted his head a bit more, but it did little to hide his stiffness, little to cover up his tender steps, and even less to conceal his dark circles. He almost said something about it, but instead, he chose to clam up and listen to her speak. He thought for a moment. Sure, he'd heard of Alhaj in passing. He'd not been there. Would it become the new Osulas? The Oasis, he'd assumed, might become the new capital. However, when it was taken over by water bandits, those hopes of his own had been smashed. With the emergence of new water sources, and the abundance of storms and rains, would the land change? Would the old Serora leave with the scars of war?
With the mention of time to rest, he almost felt the softness of plush carpets underfoot, and the caress of plentiful blankets or a pillow under his head as he rested. With the comfort of the shade, and the soothing coolness of aloe upon his sunburnt nose, and warm meals and cool, pure water over his dry tongue. Goodness why didn't he take a drink from the lake when he had the chance?
He dodged the question about his family, referring instead to her previous statement. "Some rest sounds just fine," He murmured. One may see his attitude as dismissive. It was all about perspective. "But perhaps we could find somewhere suitable... there. Then, we can casually search for work until we're good and ready."
There was a pause, as he considered his next question. Would it seem too stuck up? Would it seem too stiff and judgmental? No, of course not, and so he said it. "How long have you been a screamer?" |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 21, 2019 16:44:36 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Five | 261 Words
She considered his suggestion and nodded, ears pricking forward at the idea. "That sounds good," she agreed. The most she knew of Alhaj was that it lied somewhere within God's Landing. But if its' size and population was to be believed, they should have no issue getting there and making themselves at home.
Piper was dragged from her thoughts by his next question, and she tensed. Why did he want to know? Was he worried she wasn't good at her job? Her ears flicked back as she tried to gauge his motives but she shook her head. No, her aunt would scold her for making judgments too quickly. She didn't know Whirlwind well enough to assume he would treat her unkindly. In her own self doubt, she failed to notice him avoid her earlier question.
"How long? I made the decision to become a Screamer when I was fourteen. I didn't finish training and start working away from my mentor until I was eighteen. But even after I left my mentor, I tried to stay with older screamers who really knew what they were doing. I only quit chasing the older screamers about a year ago," Piper said, flicking her tail in an attempt to keep herself collected. She wasn't worried about him making fun of her, though. Not with exhaustion dogging his heels like it was. "What about you?" she asked. Whirlwind was well armored, a sign she took to meant that he had been working as a screamer for much longer than she had.
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 21, 2019 17:16:50 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
"-"
WC: 244 | Post: 5He could almost sense the hesitation in her tone, and he wondered if he'd struck some sort of a cord with the simple question. He'd not anticipated that his curiosity would agitate her. Well, so much for trying to keep her comfortable, right? Might as well throw that ambition out the window. He wasn't sure how long he could keep that up anyway. Or maybe, he was just digging too deeply into her response to his inquiry.
Maybe under any normal circumstance, he'd have been happy to tease her, and maybe he'd have had to bite back some snarky remark about her chasing older screamers. That humor was absent at the moment, and so he just nodded thoughtfully like he was having to focus awfully hard to store that information. He'd probably ask about three more times until he finally got it down. What was her name again...? SandPiper. SandPiper... Piper.
"I've been working under another Screamer since I was sixteen. My father was a heavyhoof. He trained me well in combat. Learning some form of literacy was the most challenging part of my duty." He explained, tilting his head as he thought. "Learning to identify potential dangers like sinkholes, quicksand, ravines, animal nests..." He trailed off, shaking his head and turning to focus his gaze upon her for a moment. "You don't mind if I call you Piper, do you?" His mind didn't even process that it may have been rude to ask. |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 21, 2019 17:50:59 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Six | 220 Words
"That's kind of your father to do. My family consisted of mostly gatherers and crafts folk. I think my aunt was a bit heartbroken when I told her I wanted to become a screamer. You'd never think it, but she wanted me to become a mullah," Piper chuckled, smiling at the fond memory of her guardian. If there was anyone she missed from back in her family caravan, it was her. She hadn't checked in on her in some time, and she hadn't received any letters either. She had faith that they were alright. Maybe they were even hiding in the new city of Alhaj and she would see them soon!
"I think my biggest struggle is being around the folks I'm supposed to protect. Don't get me wrong, I'll do my job just fine, but some folks can be... difficult to work with, to say the least," She muttered, a wry smile creeping its' way onto her face. "Differing opinions can cause plenty of problems,"
"Is there a reason you wanted to become a screamer?" Piper questioned. It certainly wasn't for everyone, and she wondered what had brought him into it.
"Oh yeah, Piper is find. D'you mind if I call you Whirl?" She asked, tilting her head slightly as she awaited his response.
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 21, 2019 18:29:56 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
"-"
WC: 272 | Post: 6Whirlwind almost cracked a smile as she told her story about how she came to be a screamer. Ohh a mullah. He knew one of those, albeit not well anymore. He'd only heard his name in passing. It had been far too long since they'd spoken or seen each other one way or another. A part of him wondered how many he'd never see again, after this war. Who had it taken? Had it taken the young mullah he knew? He shook the thought away, blinking the weariness from his eyes and snapping his attention back to her.
"My father wanted me to be a heavyhoof like him. Unfortunately, I was destined to disappoint. I mean, look at me." He laughed dryly. It fell flat, humorless, but at least he'd tried. "I wanted to protect people. I was taught the skills to do so. I can do both jobs, if I'm needed to, I suppose. My official title is that of a screamer but I like to think myself to be a good enough warrior as well."
His blade upon his hip and his extensive armor said that much. It was all the more that he was willing to wear in the sweltering desert heat without weighing him down. He tilted his ears towards her with the nickname. Whirl. Well, that was not the usual part of his name that folks shortened. But it was hers, and if she would be traveling with him, something unique or different from others would do just fine. He considered the name for a moment before coming to a conclusion.
"Whirl is just fine by me." |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 21, 2019 20:15:25 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Seven | 260 Words
Destined to disappoint? She might not know Whirlwind well enough yet, but just the thought made her blood boil. Had his father told him that? Sure, her sire hadn't been great either, but she had hoped it was just a one off thing. She set her ears back, but kept her gaze pointed firmly ahead. Would he think she was patronizing him if she gave him sympathy?
"As long as you're not afraid of a fight, I don't care what they call you or what you want to be. If my caravan runs into trouble, I like to be able to take the threat head on," Piper said, tilting her head towards the falchion strapped to her harness. "I'm training to become a weapons master in my spare time," she explained, grinning proudly. It wasn't easy work and she more often ended up with bruises than not, but it made her feel powerful. It felt like she could really protect others without the help of a god that she didn't want to be involved with.
"Do you have a talent?" she asked, glancing back at him. Her first guess, with the amount of armor her wore and what he had told her about his father, would be a Weapons Master as well. The chance that they might be studying the same thing excited her - she would have someone to spar with! But the resentment that he seemed to hold made it equally as likely that he had chosen a different path to travel.
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 21, 2019 22:46:35 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
"-"
WC: 254 | Post: 7Windy glanced to her weapon, raising his brows almost as though he was surprised. She didn't exactly look dainty, or carry herself like a delicate flower. However, he was pleasantly surprised by her interests. He should have expected, particularly given the personality she'd shown thus far. If he was being honest, he hadn't even considered it. Small talk was not his speciality, and while this wasn't small per say, it was more talk than he usually did at a time with any individual. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't a bit... inattentive in his current state. He hardly caught the tail end of her explanation, catching himself drifting elsewhere with his mind, glancing across their landscape. When he heard the question in her tone, he just turned his head to face her again, ears perking up.
While he appeared genuinely interested, it was clear that he'd hardly heard what she'd said one way or another, likely some symptom of his fatigue. A talent? He thought for a moment, and an awkward silence grew between them before he responded. "I have chosen to study the stars," He replied. "To listen to what they tell me, to allow them to guide me when I'm lost." Well that came out... awfully... reflective and... oh what's the word... forget it.
"I can trust the stars more than I can trust most people, you know?" His eyes found her falchion again, and he cracked a small, tired smile. "It suits you, that talent. It suits you well." |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 22, 2019 12:38:33 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Eight | 288 Words
There was a long pause between her question and his reponse. Was he even listening? Irritation fluttered in her chest but she squashed it down. Whirlwind looked like he was ready to drop at any moment, so she would give him a pass for his mindlessness. For now.
"Oh, yeah I've heard about that... it's called astrology right? That's pretty cool!" Piper said. If she was honest, she knew very little about astrology besides how to locate the Northern most star and follow it. And while it certainly wasn't combat oriented, it was a useful skill set to have - especially for a screamer.
She watched his tired smile and mirrored it, understanding in her eyes. She didn't know exactly what he meant, but she understood on a basic level and she couldn't agree more. Horses were confusing. The stars? Not so much.
"Thank you," she said. A bit of pride blossomed in her chest as he complimented her. Or, what she assumed was a compliment. She opened her maw to speak, but shut it when she glanced back at his tired expression once more. She shook her head and smiled.
"Why don't we finish this conversation after you get some rest? It shouldn't be too long before we get there. You just focus on not falling asleep on your hooves, okay?" She suggested, a hint of teasing in her voice. She didn't want to push him too hard, although even now she wasn't really sure if he was even paying her words any mind. If they were sticking together, there would be plenty of time to learn about one another. A little rest and recovery would do the both of them some good.
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Post by lightningwolf913 on Dec 22, 2019 21:42:30 GMT -6
= W H I R L W I N D =
"-"
WC: 303 | Post: 8Whirlwind puffed himself up indignantly, refusing to admit that he was as tired as he clearly appeared to be. Rather, he opened his mouth to say something snarky in response, but he stopped mid-breath and clammed up again. He knew very well that there was no sense in denying it. She'd seen through his mask, albeit one that had partially slipped by now. What a great first impression this must have been. He scowled externally at the thought, clearly letting her know just how he felt about her acknowledgement. It made him feel weak, but he'd just have to get over it. He merely wasn't used to having someone with him to worry over him, and he always brushed off any other Serorans that he guided should they say anything about it. Now, he couldn't just turn his back to this person.
He couldn't just tell her to buzz off, he had to let her in, and that scared him. He wasn't ready, but he truthfully had little say in the matter. By now, he knew very well that traveling with someone else to watch his back would do him better than to act like he could do it all alone. Maybe it wouldn't hurt. He took another deep breath, and relented, his head dropping below wither height and allowing his feet to drag a bit more. He'd stay alert until they made it safely to their location. He owed her at least that much. Some silence... now that didn't sound so bad.
"Of course," He murmured. "I'll be sure not to trip over myself too much. Thanks for your concern, I guess." It was a prickly response, but it was laced with some sort of gentle understanding underneath it all.
This wouldn't be so bad. Maybe he could do this after all.
FINISHED:
-Total Word Counts-
LightningWolf913: 2,311
hiddenbubbles: 2,095 |
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Post by galekxy on Dec 23, 2019 9:42:59 GMT -6
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