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Post by Quorkbirb on Dec 29, 2016 2:55:42 GMT -6
The Not-So-Surprising Surprise
Froya - Quirkylynx
Clarke - hh-harley
Setting:
Spring of 1700 in the weeks following the Flower Festival.
Early morning, the sun has already burned off the fog of the dawn. The weather is pleasant, the sky
partially cloudy and a gentle breeze ruffles the greening foliage of spring.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Dec 29, 2016 3:38:31 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Froya stood stoic in the stone hall, surrounded by scouts, shields, and some fellow Valkyries. Her ears were perked forward, attentive and capturing every word and slight sway in Hira’s address. Clarke stood beside her, their forms perhaps an inch apart, and she could feel every shift in her stance. An ear swiveled and was quickly followed by a glance to observe her.
The mule wasn’t even looking at Hira, her eyes were elsewhere with an unseeing, dreamlike gaze. Froya suppressed the urge to snort in minor frustration. She was the previous Breiman ambassador and soon to be Aodhian ambassador! She needed to know what was said in this address. Hira’s word took a focus on the latest affairs, the mysterious swapping of blessings, and a thought crossed Froya’s mind. Kaia’s blessing of shapeshifting had recently melted away to telekinesis for Froya … and she could use it now to bring Clarke back into focus.
She flashed a thought at the mule, something she couldn’t ignore and something that would make her want to pay attention. Immediately after doing so, her own attention shifted back to Hira.
“Pay attention.”
She said under her breath to Clarke, who had froze up with a shutter and inhaled through her nostrils sharply upon receiving the idea Froya plastered in her mind. Give a slight rear, causing nearby listeners to shoot quiet, annoyed glances, Clarke hissed a little to loudly into Froya’s ear.
“Only if I get some of that later.”
Post: 1
Word Count: 247
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Post by hey-stardust on Dec 30, 2016 2:20:29 GMT -6
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1 | 423
Though their first mission together had been less than tasteful, the mule had warmed to Froya, despite her rather terse way of life. Clarke wasn’t sure that she would ever adapt to the same mentality the valkyrie had, nor convinced she wanted to, but one could appreciate that some situations called for ugly resolutions where negation falls through. ---
Despite having lived in Onea all of her life, the mule had never managed to grow out much of a thick winter coat that compared to the rest of the herd; making her have to compensate with a cloak or similar to stave off the cold when resigned to slow goings caused by blizzards and heavy snow drifts; contrary to popular belief though, she has always been quite appreciative of this quirk; as it often made scouting a comfortable journey from start to finish whenever fast work was permitted, generally leaving those assigned to accompany her in a rather disgruntled, sweaty mess as they tried to keep up. However, with the disarray of hormones now controlling how her body reacted to certain stimulants, she found herself no better off than the colleagues she had usually left lagging behind in the sleet. A light sheen of sweat had begun to build up on the mare’s thin coat as she jogged across the muddied terrain, laden with a mixture of fresh grass shoots and small clumps of dirty ice that had yet to dissipate in the morning sunlight. Clarke’s mind was far more preoccupied than she would like, so much so she had considered cancelling their session today but, she had reasoned with herself that the distraction would surely be a welcome respite from, well, the inevitable that she would have to face soon enough… and besides, one had appearances to keep up in the mean time.
Slowing as she reached the training grounds, Clarke eyed the other valkyries brandishing weapons at one another. They were, for the most part, quite graceful to watch and she might’ve paused to do so, had the sudden, earsplitting sound of blades colliding against one another spooked her to move on. The mule’s ears flattened to her head for a brief moment, trying to block out the sound and she bounded forward, breaking into a canter to get away from the obnoxious noise. She looked for out for the red mare in the meantime, finally spotting her settled beneath the shade of the citadel and called out as she drew closer, forcing herself to smile. “Hey, Froya!”
'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Dec 30, 2016 19:31:32 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Her ears swiveled to accommodate Clarke's arrive, but her head did not turn. A match was being finished across the yard and Froya was watching with interest. Once a mare had fallen, she turned to regard Clarke.
"Good morning Clarke, you're looking well. Are you ready to begin?"
Clarke did look well. In fact, she looked a bit soft and rounded, probably from the plentiful green shoots of spring. The Valkyrie moved out from beneath the shading bows and into the dirt floored training yard, her tail drifted lazily in the breeze. For such a muscled pony, she really did move rather gracefully. Her steps where firmly planted, but elegant and well calculated. Life on the mountain favored the surefooted, a skill that translated well to battle.
"Today," she said, making a wide turn so that her body was presented at length, "I think we will work on using our whole bodies to overwhelm an opponent. It's necessary for horses of our stature. By using our body, we can turn the larger attackers weight against them."
Froya eyed Clarke with an unspoken invitation, waiting for the mule to line herself up against her body, gesturing lightly with her head to guide her.
Post: 2
Word Count: 202
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Post by hey-stardust on Jan 2, 2017 2:14:07 GMT -6
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2 | 221
The scout’s expression softened when the mare returned the greeting in her usual, solemn manner; the emotion genuine this time. Froya was always one she could count on to remain steadfast in her behaviour, mannerisms holding fast to a foundation built upon the traditional warrior mentality. It calmed the mule, even if -from the outside at least- it looked as though they were a rather curious pair to maintain such a friendship, for they both spiralled wildly into the opposite spectrum of personalities and personal goals. ---
Nodding her head at the question, Clarke followed placidly behind the mare, long stride easily keeping in tandem as they slipped into the weathered arena. Fresh tracks and divots were spurn about the dirt floor from the previous spar, and she subconsciously took note to watch her step, for it would not take much to fall from a well-placed blow here. As the valkyrie presented their lesson plan for the day however, Clarke’s immediate response was to be suspicious, eyes narrowing slightly at the request. Had she…? No, this was merely another step in their training, nothing more. Swinging her hindquarters around decisively, she tried to line herself up next to the mare, head tilting slightly to the side to eye over Froya’s posture, mirroring the parked out stance. “So, like… this?” 'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 3, 2017 4:12:03 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
"Yes, just like that. Now," she said as she pressed her body against Clarke's, noting the odd firmness of her stomach, " I will first get a firm grasp on you and use my own weight to unbalance you. Once you are no longer grounded fully, I will use your own weight to take you down. It's a bit hard to explain without seeing, so I will do it and then analyse it with you after so you understand. You may resist as much or little as you'd like."
When Clarke seemed to understand well enough, Froya violently flicked her head back, her forelock dancing wildly in the air, and latched onto the mule's small crest with a strong bite. She then began to move about in a sort of hustle, aggressively using her hips and side to force Clarke's body into a rather uncomfortable -and unstable- position. The scout's neck was curled involuntarily towards her own body, with her face skywards. As Froya compelled Clarke's body to curl unnaturally, the mule's would have to fight the urge to lift her forelegs in a sort of hop to try and regain balance. Once this happened, however, Froya ceased the opportunity and slammed Clarke and herself to the ground, landing roughly on top of her companion and pinning her.
"Do you understand how I-" her words slowed and then stopped abruptly.
She rose hurriedly and took a few backward steps away from Clarke, standing rather stiffly and looking as though she might have seriously hurt the mare that lay in front of her. With brows deeply furrowed and her face cloaked in an emotion that was somewhere between suspicion and concern, she silently eyed the hybrid.
Post: 3
Word Count: 285
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Post by hey-stardust on Jan 3, 2017 6:43:32 GMT -6
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3 | 287
Clarke’s ears twitched as Froya leant against her, anxiety prickling at her skin with the mare’s touch. This is fine, this is… Inhaling deeply and gathering her thoughts, she tried to push away the feeling and arched her wiry neck in preparation for what was to come.
Admittedly, as soon as the valkyrie’s bite locked upon her crest, the insecurities all but fell away; at least, for a brief moment. She staggered as the mare began to roughly control her movement, instinctively trying to brace and lock her legs against the weight. As Froya persisted however, the mule began to shuffle sideways unwillingly, unable to see where she was placing her feet thanks to the position her head had been pulled into. A little breathless with her neck twisted out of place, she tried to suggest a slightly different approach whilst they struggled. “Could we maybe ease up on the teeth, it’s not really-"
Helping me to focus… In that moment of distraction, the valkyrie finally had the opportunity she had been waiting for, and took it.
Clarke hit the ground hard, legs curling up instinctively. Any air that remained in her lungs was hastily expelled from her nostrils as Froya landed on and pinned her side, and the mule rolled an eye back to focus on her words, only for them to cut-off abruptly. As Froya leapt off her almost as quickly she stopped talking, Clarke regained her purchase on the dirt floor and struggled to her feet, standing quickly and shaking the grit from her sides. She turned her neck stiffly to regard the valkyrie who had retreated several steps, an eyebrow raised in question. “Froya, are... are you okay?”
'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 3, 2017 23:38:17 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
The mare was still visibly uncomfortable, but was beginning to recover from the initial shock. She approached Clarke as if with a secret.
"Clarke, do you have a mate?"
Her voice was stern in a way that suggested the scout should not draw out her answers. It was not a potentially unapproved pregnancy that bothered Froya, it was that if Clarke was really pregnant - and aware that she was pregnant- and continuing to participate in fighting lessons, she was endangering the life within her. If she hadn't decided to terminate it appropriately, she should make sure to keep it as healthy as possible. Froya could even offer to continue her training, she would just have to be less harsh with the mule in her current state. If she did not have a mate ... it was perhaps even more important to continue her training. Not only would she have to be able to defend herself, but a youngling as well.
How irresponsibly the mule was handling her situation had ignited a small fire in Froya's stomach, but she was trying to quell it. She knew her friend was ... a bit on the childish side and if anything, she probably needed help.
Post: 4
Word Count: 203
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Post by hey-stardust on Jan 12, 2017 0:25:24 GMT -6
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4 | 201
The pit of Clarke’s stomach dropped at the question, for she had hoped to have a little more time pretending nothing was wrong in her life before confronting the inevitable that was encroaching all too rapidly, but perhaps she had waited too long already... It is easy to be disillusioned by your own reflection when you see it every day.
Her response to the question was cavalier, though she was unable to hide the minor stutter that cropped up. “N-nah, why, you offering?”
Knowing full well Froya had no interest in such prospects however, she tried to laugh the answer off, though it was a little too loud to be considered truly sincere.
Her mismatched gaze dropped to the ground briefly whilst the valkyrie kept her distance, rigorously studying the silt and contemplating. When she finally brought them up again to look at the other mare, it was merely to try and steer the mare's attention elsewhere, changing the subject entirely. “Should we do something else?”
Undeterred however, Froya ended up advancing upon the mule once more without speaking and Clarke had to fight the urge to back up, tail clamping between her legs in preparation to pivot and run. 'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Apr 8, 2017 0:13:49 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
The furrow of Froya's brow deepened at Clarke's response and she snorted, shook her head, and fell into a hurried, heavy footed trot towards the mule. Wheeling in a wide circle around Clarke, Froya jut out her head at her friend almost aggressively in an attempt to drive her towards the trees. Her irritation showed and she hoped the scout did not tempt her further.
Once the shade of the trees had fallen around them, Froya continued to usher the mare forward, still ignoring any protest. It wasn't until the training yard could only be seen in rare glimpses among the pillars of wood that Froya stopped driving the mule. She walked around her, inspecting her briefly with her eyes and then gently nudged the mare's stomach. She had been paying more attention to her scent while chasing her over here and was now becoming surer of her suspicions. For a while she prodded Clarke's side in silence, forgetting (or ignoring) any sense of personal space.
With a decided sigh, she sidled up to Clarke, looking at her sternly.
"Did you know you are with foal?" she paused, but then added quickly "And don't try to be sly with me again, Clarke. You know I'm no idiot ... and neither are you for that matter." she said, her voice softening.
Post: 5
Word Count: 220
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Post by hey-stardust on May 17, 2017 3:57:24 GMT -6
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5 | 279
Relenting to the valkyrie's incessant need to pressure and herd her like a wayward apana, Clarke jogged -with what could hesitantly be called obedience- towards the grove, tail still clamped tightly to her hindquarters; the movement eased some of the cumbersome anxiety she carried, but respite was to be short lived once they stepped beneath the trees, sunlight casting intricate, dappled patterns across their coats as it broke through the dense foliage. Often a mare of few words, Froya forewent due courtesies and dove bodily into her crude examination as soon as they were hidden from prying eyes, and Clarke was quick to pin her ears in turn, laying them flat against her neck at the wilful intrusion, wishing nothing more than to snap and bite at the soft touch that found her side; skin twitching in agitation, the mule’s hind leg came up off the ground reflexively as if to kick, but the action was replaced by a meek, irritated tail flick instead, wiry hairs slapping at her friend’s face as Froya moved closer to her flank.
Expelling a heavy sigh when the valkyrie finally withdrew with suspicions surely confirmed, Clarke waited to be reprimanded and yet, the judgement did not come. "… you know I'm no idiot, and neither are you for that matter."
She couldn’t help but chuff at Froya’s words, the hint of a sad smile tugging at her mouth, for the opinion she held of herself right now was quite the contradiction. Her gaze did not fall away from her friend this time, though the look was tired, and the answer to the question was soft, and bitter. "Yes... I know." 'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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Post by Quorkbirb on May 30, 2017 7:28:36 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Nostrils flared with a sharp intake of breath and she quickly looked away from Clarke, to look at the trees, the shrubbery, anything. She let the anger come, she let it wash over her mind like a wave from Cascade's turbulent sea, crashing over her thoughts and rolling until it calmed, like all waves do. She let her eyes close and for a moment, just took in the scents of summer. Soothed, she faced her friend again.
"I could have hurt you, but that's a part of training. The foal though ... I didn't take that into account, I couldn't have. If you didn't end it, you need to take care to keep it from harm."
Holding Clarke's gaze, she let the minor scolding sink in, but then let her eyes wander over the mule's body with an expression that could be worry or concern. In truth, she weighed her duties. The stone circle should know, but Clarke would not survive a slave, nor did she deserve it. Clearly she didn't want the weight of motherhood, so if it wasn't too late she would have taken the herbs. She was a good scout and she was learning to fight too, she earned her keep. Unmarried though ... unsettled ...
"What do you plan to do?"
Post: 6
Word Count: 215
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Post by hey-stardust on Jul 2, 2017 19:26:52 GMT -6
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6 | 240
Clarke craned her neck to glance back at the track that had led them here as Froya turned away, though she did not hold the same ire that her friend sought to release, merely contemplating taking a few, hasty steps in retreat if need be. But, at her friend's heavy sigh, Clarke's full attention returned to the disgruntled valkyrie, with all four feet still firmly planted upon the compacted forest floor.
"I could have hurt you, but that's a part of training. The foal though... I didn't take that into account, I couldn't have."
Taking the expression: 'come what may', a little too liberally and close to heart these past few weeks, Clarke hadn't given any invitation the cold shoulder, and pushed herself past the brink of exhaustion on missions, leaving no stone left unturned; as though fate might suddenly cross her path during this time and give her a solution to the thing she was running from.
"What were your parents like? I used to wonder sometimes about starting a family, but..." She blurted out suddenly, only to pause, feeling foolish and tongue-tied as brief and distorted memories of her youth flickered to life at the inquest. All, of course, were vague and maddeningly unhelpful at this juncture, but it was still easier to manage intrusive thoughts than acknowledge a question she didn't have an answer to. "Well, I wouldn't wish what I had for a childhood on anybody." 'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jul 31, 2017 22:43:50 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Brief surprise overtook Froya's features, not expecting Clarke's first question. Her parents? She looked up into the canopy of leaves above them as she thought about them, Clarke drifting off in the meantime. Noble, was what came to mind. A scene of them in a deep cradle of mountains, tall, green summer grasses licking at their hocks. Her eyes were still focuses on the image, projected onto the leaves by her mind.
"Well," she said, taking in Clarke's last comment and finally locking eyes with her, "then make sure your child doesn't end up with a childhood like yours. Take more care of your actions, for you and the foal."
She paused to reflect on her own words, her eyes flickered momentarily to the floor before returning. A lark sang out somewhere in the distance, filling the silence and interrupting the constant chittering and twittering between the sparrows and warblers. Waxwings were hidden in the brush, competing with the insects to create the best drone of summer. The life that flocked to Kaia's land in the few warm months was always diverse and impressive, a great contrast to the infamous bleak winters that usually held the land perilously by the throat.
"Have you told the stallion? ... If you know who it is."
Post: 7
Word Count: 213
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Post by hey-stardust on Sept 4, 2017 9:21:05 GMT -6
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7 | 201
Clarke watched the mare drift away from the conversation, taken back to another place, and perhaps even another time at the question. The valkyrie never gave away much when it came to emotion, wearing a mask of indifference at even the most tumultuous turn of events; so it came as no surprise when Froya returned to the present, she merely bestowed well-meaning, but dubious -at least in Clarke's mind-, advice.
It was a sound concept in theory, as theories so often are, but in practice well… life has an exceptional knack for going awry, even with the best intentions held at heart.
"Have you told the stallion? If you know who it is."
She knew who it was, of course she knew.
Memories of a poorly lit tavern and what came after suddenly started vying for her attention, and Clarke bit her cheek in answer, genuinely conflicted as to what to say. How many people did she really want to be involved in this? To have to shoulder the blame and have the potential to be punished for it?
"We should get back." Was all she managed in the end, beginning to retreat from both the secluded alcove, and her friend. 'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Sept 10, 2017 16:21:57 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Cocking a brow ever so slightly, the Valkyrie backed up alongside her friend to use her body to gently block her from leaving. A bubble of concern had welled up in her throat from Clarke's avoidance, a concern that needed to be addressed.
"Was it ... you weren't forced were you?"
She said this hesitantly and in a voice uncommonly gentle for Froya, but it was still dripping with the awkwardness that is inherent to such questions. Her body against Clarke's softened to a gesture of comfort rather than of containment and quietly she braced herself for Clarke's answer, wondering if it would be truthful. Would the mare reveal that to her if it was true? Froya stood steadfast beside her companion and awaited the answer she was unsure if she could trust.
Briefly wondering what she would do if it were true, ideas of hunting down the pig for retribution sprouted in the Valkyrie's mind, but she pushed them aside. That would fix nothing, it wouldn't help Clarke now and so it was irrelevant. What was important was that Clarke would be safe, that her foal would be safe, and that Froya offered them both her unyielding support. Whether or not Froya would find mercy in her heart if she stumbled across the stallion was a question for another day ...
Post: 8
Word Count: 221
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Post by hey-stardust on Oct 22, 2017 7:42:33 GMT -6
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8 | 204
Clarke's reaction was not unlike that of a feral, frightened cat backed into a corner; desperate to escape and fast running out of options, and all the while having the strongest urge to bare her teeth and bite.
The mule's upper lip curled slightly at Froya’s persistence, oversized ears pressing back yet again to express her discomfort.
Deep down, she knew that the valkyrie only held her best interests at heart, Froya had proven that by not immediately bolting to her beloved warlord the moment she had discovered the indiscretion after all; but her insistence upon the matter only stirred Clarke’s unease and strong reluctance to accept outside help from a willing hand.
Clarke's let her eyes close for a brief moment, contemplating what exactly she was willing to divulge, and predictably, came up short.
Reluctantly, she re-opened them, gaze suddenly cold and completely distant.
“No... Froya, please, just drop it.” She exhaled loudly, deciding she could no longer sweat underneath the humid cover of the forest's canopy. Jumping forward abruptly, Clarke sprung into a canter, colliding with the other mare’s shoulder to move her aside.
It was a brash display, though only intended to silence perseverant voices and intrusive thoughts. 'Cause I'm a lost river that will never reach the sea.
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