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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 7, 2020 13:10:10 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post One | 435 words
The noises of the city were dulled this late at night. Even the bars were closed at this hour, their patrons sent stumbling home long ago. The streets were barren, an eerie sight compared to bustling of the day. Empty, save for one little mare.
Piper hurried through the dark streets, illuminated only by the few glowing tiles and the twinkling light of the braziers lining the path. Her pale blue blanket was wrapped tightly around her, fluttering behind her as she trotted briskly. She would normally have made every attempt to tread quietly this late at night, but she was far too lost in her own thoughts to think of such things. Images of the fire god, Ignacio, clouded her mind. The new fire in her soul burned in her chest. The disconnect between her mind and body left her feeling fuzzy and numb, but thankfully her hooves knew the way.
Her eyes stayed plastered to the ground under her hooves. She could almost feel the stars glittering down at her through the open air cavern. The clouds that had hid them from sight had dissipated some time ago. Shame rose within her. She felt like some sort of conspirator. She wouldn't dare face Alya's perfect starscape after her meeting earlier in the night. She wasn't ready to face the vast emptiness she was convinced was waiting for her. Not yet. She had betrayed her people. She had betrayed the Sky Mother. That was unforgivable.
A cool breeze swept through the streets, urging the ash colored mare further into the Star District. Piper slowed as the buildings around her grew taller and taller, and for a moment, the fog cleared from her mind. Her gaze swept the buildings, seeking out the home of her friend, Esin. She had never paid a visit to the mullah's home, she couldn't hope to access it without magical assistance, but she knew the way. Finally, she arrived at the apartment building and paused. With a quick, cursory glance across the street, she scooped up a pile of rocks. The smooth stones glowed blue in her teke as she cradled them close to her chest.
Turning her gaze back to the building, she started counting. One, two, three,...ten windows up. She held her breath and tossed a stone. It soared through the air, striking the building a few feet too before plummeting back to the earth. Another toss, a bit too high this time. Finally, she threw and it soared through the window. She could only hope that Essie was home, and awake.
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Post by kajeayn on Dec 7, 2020 15:41:30 GMT -6
This late, little stirred around Alhaj. Most equines in the city had tucked into bed by now, ready to rise early to beat the Smouldering Sun’s heat. The ones who were usually up and out this late weren’t in the city- there were things to do, stars to observe and chart. Normally, Esin would be out with them, out on the mesas, eyes turned to the heavens. Meditating, praying, just observing. Tonight found her inside her apartment, the blinds on the windows drawn closed, laying on a floor cushion in the soft glow of a lantern. Though she couldn’t find it in herself to go bathe in starlight, her body didn’t seem to get the message, keeping her awake and alert at the late hour, trained to be up at this time of night. Once it had been a great boon to someone who kept such late hours- but nowadays it was just another frustration to add to the constantly growing pile. She sipped at her mug of tea, eyes skimming over the pages of the book laying open in front of her. She was only half paying attention to what she read, mind wandering every so often. Too many questions and worries plagued her lately- every distraction she turned to never lasted long. She just wanted to stop thinking. A soft plink made her ears flick up. She frowned, lifting her head as she turned, attempting to locate what she’d heard before another one followed. A moment later a pebble came flying in through her curtains and she squeaked, scrambling up right as it landed on her floor. It bounced against the sandstone, rolling to a stop a few feet away while she stared blankly at it. Umbra, dozing at her side, lifted his head with a disgruntled chirp, rising to his paws and stretching luxuriously, one leg at a time. He padded forward, reaching out to prod at the pebble, making a soft, inquisitive huff. Esin left him to his investigation, cautiously approaching her window and opening the curtains, peeking her head out into the night. A prank from some young pegasi wasn’t completely out of the question, and she was half ready to scold as she stuck her head outside, but she gazed out into empty air. She blinked, turning her head from side to side, finally tilting her head to look down and catching sight of a lone figure far below. Her eyes widened, form blurring as she disappeared. She landed soundlessly beside the other common horse, reappearing with barely a flicker. “Piper?” Her voice was concerned, eyes wide as she stepped closer, gaze darting over the mare. It’d been some time since she’d seen her, the fearless warrior girl- who now stood before her clad only in a blanket she clutched like a foal, her eyes red and tired. Esin’s face softened, wordlessly stepping closer to offer her an embrace, leaning her neck against hers. She didn’t know what was wrong, and didn’t have to, her heart aching already.
post: 1 WC: 504 |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 7, 2020 16:30:26 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Two | 363 words
A whisper of noise followed as her final pebble sailed through the window and disappeared, quiet enough that Piper was almost certain she had simply imagined it. There was a moment of silence, then two, and she began to ready her next stone. Maybe she was still asleep? What if she wasn't home? What would she even say? Before she could throw the next one, a familiar face poked out from behind the curtains covering the window. She watched as her friend looked back and forth before spotting her far below.
In an instant, the dark mare materialized in front of her. She watched the expression on Esin's face melt into something soft and unfamiliar, and the tears that had long since dried on her face welled up in her eyes again. She readily accepted the embrace, pressing her face into her neck. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a broken sob escaped her. She quickly shut her mouth in an attempt to strangle her weeping, but the shaking of her shoulders betrayed her. She hadn't felt this helpless in a long time.
"Essie.. Can we talk?" she whispered. She was lost, and despite her best efforts, had drifted away from Alya once again. Or perhaps she had never been close to the Sky Mother at all. The shame that had dogged her heels on the journey here caught up to her once more. It twisted in her stomach, burning hot like embers. She needed the guidance and insight of a mullah, someone who could set her back on the right path. More than anything, she needed a friend. It had been too long since she had last seen her.
Her tears slowly subsided again, instead replaced by a pounding headache. She grounded herself, focusing on the gentle comfort of her kindness and the quiet city around her, before she slipped away from Esin's touch. She pulled her blanket tight around her and carefully wiped away her tears, sniffling like a scared filly. She cleared her throat.
"I'm sorry to bother you so late at night," she mumbled quietly, glancing to the tiles beneath her hooves.
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Post by kajeayn on Dec 8, 2020 1:58:51 GMT -6
She pressed tightly back against the mare, one foreleg lifting to curl around one of Piper’s, anchoring herself to her. She murmured soothingly when a harsh sob cracked from Piper’s chest, her own aching in sympathy as she held her, wishing she could lift whatever burden pressed on her friend’s shoulders. “Of course we can talk,” She replied earnestly, pulling back when Piper did, though her foreleg remained hooked with Piper’s. Stripped of her usual scarf and jewelry, she looked younger than usual in the moonlight, gazing at Piper with large, soft eyes. Only her tattoo adorned her shoulders, the stars gone from her tail, makeup gone from her eyes. She wasn’t a mullah tonight. Just Esin. Just a friend.
“Hush,” She added kindly. “I was up anyway, and it’s never too late for you.” She said, glancing once up to her window, gauging the distance in her mind. She nodded to herself, turning towards Piper. “Hold on, this may make you a bit dizzy.” She warned, moments before the world spun around them both. The air shimmered, the outside world disappearing and being instantly replaced by the inside of Esin’s apartment. They’d reappeared in a living room of sorts, though it continued on into a small kitchen off to the right, large round windows letting in moonlight. The living room was wide, only a few furnishings around, a low table seemingly built right out of the floor, an elegant wood and metal writing desk, and several rugs and floor cushions for reclining. A potted succulent rested on her desk, along with a smattering of scrolls, quills and ink pots. None of it looked like it had been used in some time. A lantern burned on the writing desk, the main source of light other than the window Esin had left uncovered. Her scarf hung on a peg nearby, shimmering softly in the dark. A cookstove sat on glowing embers, a kettle resting atop it. Near the discarded book were a few folded letters, resting in a neat pile. Well worn at the edges. And in the pool of light, on the recently vacated floor cushion, Umbra lay with his paws tucked under him, head turned in their direction, blind eyes catching the moonlight and cast silver. He chirped a greeting, tail twitching as he looked up at them, head turning in Piper’s direction. “Are you okay?” Esin asked anxiously. “Here, sit anywhere. The first teleport isn’t easy, usually.” She added with a small wince, her mouth turned up in a sheepish smile as she stepped back from Piper. There was also the small fact that she’d teleported Piper upwards would not aid in her reaction, most likely. She tried to avoid teleporting equines with her- it was hard to gauge how tired it could make her, and their reactions were varied. The high “leap” made exhaustion buzz through her limbs, vision briefly swimming with bright spots as she shook her head lightly, blinking them from her eyes. She’d definitely had worse.
post: 2 WC: 502 |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 9, 2020 14:19:17 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Three | 534 words
A thin smile graced Piper's face and she dipped her head in gratitude. She had hardly processed what Esin had said before she was struck with the sensation of the earth dropping out from underneath her hooves. It lasted for only a fleeting moment, but it sent her head reeling as they both materialized inside Essie's apartment. She lurched sideways for a moment, her legs splaying widely in an attempt to balance as she reoriented herself to her surroundings. She felt a tad queasy and was thankful to creep her way over into the pile of cushions laying on the floor. She settled deep, her blue teke glowing as she resituated her blanket to drape comfortably over her withers.
"I'm alright. That sure is... something. It must've taken a while to get used to." she replied. Her mismatched eyes traveled around the apartment and landed on Umbra. She smiled more genuinely, gazing at the zesla with admiration. The screamer couldn't help but feel a small pang of jealousy. There was a small part of her that wouldn't mind having a place like this. She was raised in a nomadic band, and her job description demanded she travel often. A place to call her own was a nice thought.
"You have a nice place, Essie." Her eyes caught on the glittering scarf hung on the peg on the wall and her heart sunk. She pulled her eyes away from the stars that clung to the fabric, surely placed there by Alya herself. That burning feeling swelled in her chest, and her mouth grew dry. She locked her eyes onto her hooves and tried to ignore it.
She could feel the silence drawing out, but she couldn't find the words. What would she say? She should've said something by now.
"I-... I've been doing everything we talked about," she started softly, uncertainty causing her voice to waver. "I did the meditation you suggested. I thought about the aspects of Alya that I feel within myself." Freedom. Determination. She was certain that she had those. Loyalty? Piper certainly liked to think she embodied that value. Her friends had always seemed to think so.
"I've been praying regularly. I thought I was starting to get somewhere. Really, and truly." She could hear her own desperation edging into her voice. The need for approval by the Sky Mother. "I thought she was with me tonight, so I went out towards Ziuseset to ask for her blessing."
She truly had thought the Sky Mother was with her when she had left Alhaj earlier in the night. But the farther she traveled, the more her confidence had waned. It wasn't the first time she had spoken into the night and had her words fall on deaf ears. She had grown used to hearing nothing, but the idea of being ignored again had hurt just a little more this time.
"She didn't answer, Esin." She whispered, her eyes drifting upwards to lock on to hers. She just knew that Essie would be disappointed. All this work trying to help her, and she had failed... She wasn't sure if she could bring herself to tell her the truth.
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Post by kajeayn on Dec 18, 2020 7:06:56 GMT -6
“It did,” She admitted with a wane chuckle, smiling slightly. She hadn’t quite managed mastering the art of teleportation until fairly recently- her body had been so twisted by it growing up, that it had only been a reflex. It’d taken years to train herself out of teleporting from stress, almost daily. Now it was only when she was very frightened, but the impulse lingered under her skin, always. “Thank you- I do not spend nearly enough time here as it deserves. It needs a proper clean and some decoration, but it’s home.” She smiled over at Piper, appreciative of her kind words but they still stung, just a little. Someone else was meant to live here. Someone else had been at her side when picking this place, had been excited for the prospects of this home. Someone’s room who had been empty for a while, now.
“Would you like some tea? I just made some a little while ago, I only need to warm the fire.” She offered, nodding slightly to the cookfire, the ashes still warm. Across the room, Umbra chirped, rising up from his perch to pad over, path straight as an arrow towards Piper. Esin watched in surprised silence as the zesla stepped up close to the screamer, rumbling a soft, purring sound from deep in his chest as he butted the top of his head against her shoulder, brushing the length of his body against hers. “Umbra doesn’t really like anyone,” She admitted with a soft, surprised huff of a laugh, her teke glowing as she dragged some pillows closer to Piper, coming to lay them near her. “So I would regard that as a high compliment.” Her smile faded as Piper looked up at her, her face falling in sudden realization.
“Oh, Piper.” She murmured, carefully settling down onto the pillows, close enough to reach out and lay a leg over hers. Just touching knees, a reassuring pressure. At Piper’s side, Umbra curled up on his stomach with a huff, his side pressed against hers as he tucked his paws under his chest, his back to her.
“It is not your fault,” She said quietly. Shepherd’s words rang in her ears. It will never be your fault. She’d needed to hear that, desperately. A short while ago, Esin wouldn’t even think to stop to reassure an Alya devotee of that- to even insinuate that blame may lay with the goddess. Her heart ached, indecision and doubt clawing at her chest. She couldn’t let her personal hurt affect this. Piper needed comfort from a mullah. And if a strange, bitter voice commented that no one ever needed anything but Esin as a mullah, she chose to ignore it.
“Piper, if there is one thing I have learned, it is that the gods are not perfect.” Her face was open and earnest, eyes flickering over Piper’s face. “I cannot- I will not- make excuses for Alya. Her reasons are her own, but I fear… I fear that gods may not truly know how fragile mortal hearts can be.” Her face softened. “Perhaps she means to answer you another day, when she finds it a better time,” She said. “Perhaps she waits for something neither of us even know exists yet. We won’t know until that time, but I know this- that Alya loves you. And that her silence is no fault of yours.” She tightened her leg over Piper's, her eyes pained. She would have reassured that their goddess would never be cruel to her children, once.
“You did nothing wrong, Piper.” She whispered, voice urgent.
post: 3 WC: 600 |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Dec 29, 2020 11:53:27 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Four | 576 words
Piper slowly shook her head at the offer of tea, her weary eyes following Esin's gaze to the ashes. "It's alright, I don't want to trouble you anymore than I already am," she murmured, dipping her head gratefully. Her head jerked up at Umbra's chirp, and another smile crossed her face. She smiled at the zesla adoringly, uncertain if he would allow her to pet him or not. Esin's affirmation of Umbra's approval helped to soothe her a bit more. She was thankful for the familiar's presence.
"It's not your fault,"
Those four, simple words brought back the water works she had worked so hard to fight off. She internally cursed herself. She was better than this. She blinked furiously, trying to fight back the emerging tears. She listened close to her friend's words, and while parts of her were soothed, the feeling of shame and guilt continued to build within her. Esin believed in her. Esin believed in Alya. That was more than enough for the Sky Mother, so why wasn't it enough for Piper to do the same?
She felt Esin's leg tighten over her own, and it drew her gaze from the pillows beneath her to her friend's face. The ashen mare shook her head, unable to accept her words. She flinched away from that urgent tone and earnest look in her eyes.
"But I did, Essie. I did." She whispered desperately. Moments ago, she wasn't sure how she would tell her. It didn't matter now. Esin needed to know the truth.
"Alya didn't answer me... but Ignacio did," the words left her mouth, and it was as though she was experiencing the moment all over again. The brilliant light of the fire god shown like a beacon in her memory, and the new burn in her chest felt blistering. "I should have known. I- I should have run, but I couldn't. I didn't. She told me so many things."
Those burning eyes. They had held hurt, but they had also held so much love. Love for her. The love she had always wanted from her family, from Alya. But it was wrong. It shouldn't have comforted her. It shouldn't still be comforting her.
"She offered me a blessing. I should've said no, but I didn't. I didn't have to choose, but I did." Her voice held a tone of desperation, like a sinner repenting for their crimes. Everything she had thought about herself, everything she had learned about being Seroran, was turned on its head in one night.
It was beyond frightening, but what scared her the most is how desperately she wanted to listen to what the fire god had told her. She wanted control over her own life. She wanted control over herself. She wanted to be unabashedly herself, but she knew it was wrong. The idea that she could even want that was sickening. Ignacio had bid her to walk the path before her unafraid. And frankly? That alone terrified her.
The guilt and shame Piper felt subsided to a new emotion: panic. Her legs were so cold, and so numb. She felt dizzy and lost and helpless. Tentatively, she reached out her muzzle, seeking comfort from one of her closest friends. Her eyes searched Esin's green ones, looking for any answers she could offer her. Now that she had spoke the truth, she wasn't sure if she would be welcomed into an embrace.
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Post by kajeayn on Jan 8, 2021 6:04:17 GMT -6
She listened quietly, both her long ears pointed towards Piper as she spoke, her face slowly falling, crestfallen by the time Piper stopped. There was no hesitation, leaning into the requested embrace, her pathetic, lonely heart quickening at the clear invitation for touch. Her touch. It likely would have been more welcome from someone else, but Esin was all she had right now. She made a soft, soothing noise, her teke glowing as she pulled Piper’s blanket more around her shoulders. She pressed her muzzle back to Piper’s, brushing against her cheek with a pained sound. She leaned into her, her neck curved protectively over the other mare’s, shifting her weight closer to hold her chest to hers.
“Oh, Piper,” She murmured, nuzzling into her mane. “I’m so sorry. It must have been so painful, to feel so ready, and to have him show…” She winced, glad Piper could not see her expression. Why had Ignacio come to her? Why had Alya continued to ignore her? Esin’s eyes drifted to the likeness of Alya carved out of pale sandstone, rearing proud above her home shrine. Why do you not answer? Is this love? She held Piper tightly, her lips thinning. What sort of love left your children weeping on the floor? Scared and alone? Seeking reassurance and help?
“You did nothing wrong.” She repeated firmly. The pain still lingered in her voice, but sincere urgency carried over it. “Shh. Rest a moment. Breathe with me,” She spoke softly, leaning her head against her neck, pressing comfortingly against her. “You’re here, safe with me. Can you hear my breathing? My heart beating?” She murmured, keeping her voice as gentle as she could, taking long, even breaths. “Can you hear Umbra? Listen, and just breathe a while.” She whispered. Curled at Piper’s side, Umbra rumbled in a reassuring purr, his big paws kneading the edges of Piper’s blanket gently. Esin had always been lulled by the action, and she appreciated him attempting it for Piper, even if she hoped his claws didn’t prick her by accident.
post: 4 WC: 344 |
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Post by hiddenbubbles on Jan 10, 2021 22:23:31 GMT -6
SandPiper
Post Five | 360 words
A shiver wracked the gray mare's body and a sigh of relief passed through her lips as Esin pulled her close. She shouldn't be cold. How could she be when she was wrapped up in a blanket and the embrace of her friend? And yet, she was so, so cold.
"You're here, safe with me."
Piper's ears flicked back, angling towards Essie as she heard her speak. It took a few moments for her to mentally key in and process the soft spoken words. With considerable effort, she listened. She took in a long, shuddering breath in an attempt to match her breathing with hers. She listened intently to the murmured comfort and soft purring of Umbra. Her voice was like a lighthouse in the midst of a storm - a guiding light towards the shore.
Slowly, the haze over her mind started clearing. She no longer felt as if she was floating, and she felt a cool night breeze that snuck in through the window brush against her cheek. Her breathing evened out, although they occasionally hitched as her tears finally subsided. She gently leaned into Esin's touch, closing her eyes as she relished in the quiet moment of calm.
"Thank you," she breathed out. Exhaustion had crawled into her voice, and she sighed wearily. She gently nuzzled her neck before slowly moving away. Carefully, she brushed her muzzle over Umbra, a silent thanks for his presence.
"I just... don't know what to do now." she mumbled softly. She was used to making herself scarce around the caravans she travelled with. It was easy to hide unfortunate blessings when you were distant and consumed by work. But she had friends who cared about her, like Essie. She wasn't sure if they would be so kind and forgiving as her. She didn't want to run away from them. She didn't want to leave them behind. It had been difficult enough to explain away one blessing, but two? How was she supposed to justify that to her herdmates? She had been claimed by the fire lord. She needed to find a way to move forward with that.
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