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Post by GingerBlues on Jan 21, 2017 21:56:57 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Talori Plot 302: Hunted
Plot Journal | Chapter III Journal | Plot Music
Leader: Hawkeye Participants: Midas, Amara, Odette, Selora, Rycaron Please keep the following in mind!- Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum!- No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's.- No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway)
- Always get consent before harming another character!- Your team is precious. Try to interact with everyone. <3- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'DPrompt:
As the sacrifice plunges to the sea, you scan the crowd, a wave of relief washing over you as the mass of equines gathered remain calm. Maybe peace has finally been achieved within the herd once more. As you turn to head back to the city proper, you hear an ear splitting cry from above. Before you have a chance to look up, you are surrounded in smoke as small explosives go off around you... Time of Day: Early Morning |
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Post by PennthePony on Jan 22, 2017 21:43:15 GMT -6
Selora
Come on, come on...
The impatience of the pale grulla mare preceded her. Though having never truly agreed with the sacrifices, Selora watched them with little emotion on her face - only the necessary small smile that presented a show of contentment. It was her duty, being a new member of the Talori herd, to show regard to the customs and culture. Of course, she did not have to agree with them. But no one needed to know that, now did they? The stallion had seemed happy enough giving his speech, having his wings sliced off, then jumping off that cliff, in hopes of gaining fins and the Wave Mother's blessing in the next life, why spoil his glee?
It had been a rather quiet morning, filled with song birds and the joys of summer, despite the tension that had been felt throughout the course of the ceremony. Relief could be felt quite predominantly as she walked among the crowd, though she simply itching to get away from the cramped space and sweaty bodies. She paid little attention to anything but the concentration it took to not touch anyone. And there was good reason to not allow herself to brush sides with any of these people. Who knew where these commoners had been. Snorting to herself, Selora corrected herself quite indignantly. Silly hag, you are a commoner. Since her demotion, it had taken quite a bit of getting used to being so lowly, though she couldn't quite give up her lifestyle. Her father's abundant inheritance had made sure of that.
Lost in her thoughts and in the softness of the light shawl that adorned her small shoulders, the tiny mare - standing at a mere 11 hands and a quarter tall, did not notice the sudden change in the air. There was a sudden, raw prickling sensation she had not noticed before... What, had someone's mushrooms been sitting in the pan for just a bit too long? It smelt as if something had been lit.
Then, there was an ear-splitting cry originating from the sky, a shadow of a Pegasus darkening her view just before smoke billowed out around the crowd.
SCREEEE--
BANG!
A flash of light. The ground shook. Debris shot everywhere, hot embers in tow. Selora had been standing nearby wherever the explosions were coming from, but not close enough to be directly harmed. Several other small explosions, the same noise preceded before each attack. Selora felt herself panicking, the ground beneath her trembling as bodies tangled into one another as everyone seemed to be trying to escape. Escape from what? Of course, one of her small stature couldn't see over the crowd. It was an effort sure to fail, even if she tried. Her lungs filled with smoke as she tried to breath, tried to get away from the screams and cries of men, women, and children...
The former Ambassador reared up, balancing on her hing legs in hopes to get a look of where to go for safety. She had to find a way out, she would not die like this. She had gotten out of much, much worse before. She couldn't die like this. There were no familiar faces in the crowd, no one she could turn to.
The smoke was everywhere, there was fire hotter than Digend's Hell itself. There didn't seem to be any light, no way out... no way out. But there had to be a way out.
Before she had a moment to steady herself on all four hooves, a body ran into her, tossing her aside like a rag doll and shouting, "OUT OF THE WAY!" Selora fell to her knees against a statue of the Wave Mother, bracing herself to stand or else be trampled. "HEY!" Another piercing cry and explosion drowned out her words, and she found herself screaming as a large hunk of stone and embers landed to her side, blood spattered on the white marble surface. Though she had seen blood before, this startled her. I am not going to die like this. Kicking herself to run, not noticing the embers that had sizzled a piece of her lustrous curls or the blood that had begun to drip from her brow and nose, Selora melded among the scrambling bodies, fear held in her bloodshot, lilac eyes as she searched for something familiar, trying to stifle the coughing that racked her chest, the smoke blackening her lungs. What the hell was going on?
Word Count: 745 - Post #1
Notes: first time participating in a Chapter, bear with me guys ;-;
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Post by arlybarlywartek on Jan 23, 2017 1:39:13 GMT -6
Well of course Amara wanted to be here, watching the brutality of the sacrifice. She sighed. What else could she do except be present with the emperor and her fellow concubine Odette, watching this barbaric nature? The sacrifices had never interested her, it was so twisted how the pegasi that were sacrificed look so.... Out of it. Not themselves. This stallion however, an odd one, willing to sacrifice himself. Amara couldn't quite grasp her head round it. Her ears flickered at the sound of his voice speaking of praise and unity within Talori. She twisted her mouth as her eyes drifted off into the distance to avoid watching the clipping of his wings.
There were other things on her mind.
She hadn't been feeling too well for a few weeks now, she'd wake up aching and with the strong urge to vomit. She didn't even really want to be here today. Wrapping up under a warm cloak, Amara tried to hide herself as much as possible whilst still retaining some decency and look presentable. Her head was hanging low, the soft voices of the crowd made her ears twitch and swivel, it seemed the crowd hadn't cried out in an uproar. Thank goodness, she didn't need a repeat of the last sacrifice where she had to hide in that awful fort along with the other concubines where those....Vagabonds were. Amara shuddered.
Wait.
There were other sounds. She couldn't quite make out what they were, maybe just some villagers moving stuff? There was a terrifying screech. Amara lifted her head and a hoof, she let out a loud whinny when smoke engulfed them in surprise.
"Odette?!" She called, even if she had a strong... Disdain for the mare, she was the closest thing to a 'friend' right now.
The noise of the crowd reacting was horrifying. What was happening out there beyond the smoke!?
1st post - 314 words
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jan 24, 2017 15:50:57 GMT -6
Midas | Seroran Ambassador
Only just back and already he had to sit through the hell that was a sacrifice. You would think Midas had grown used to it in the years he had lived here, but really such horror would never become a normal thing to him. How could it? They were taking the life of an innocent and in the name of what? He saw Cascade as a gentle goddess. She surely would not approve of this nonsense, let alone demand it. His disgust at the whole ritual did him little good however and he too stood amongst the crown as it all took place. As an ambassaddor he could risk not attending what was to their host herd such an important event. It would be unsightly and not a good thing for herd relations. So with as much politness as he could muster he participated, be it with his eyes averted as they did the actual sacrificing. Even the sounds made him nausous. At least this time, the victim this time seemed happy to be chosen, though Midas was not sure if that was a relief or if it just disgusted him even more. As a Seroran the male had a deep respect for life and he could not belief someone would willingly throw it away. His time away from Talori, with his daughter, it seemed to have had an impact on him after all, feeling more agitated as usual.
A horse passed him and Midas gave them a polite smile, internally wishing for it to be over soon. It was then a loud screech filled his ears, making him cringe. As he went to look up however, a loud bang could be heard, something exploding around him and smoke filling his view. What? He reared back, screams filling his ears. Panicked he looked around, seeking out a face, any familiar face in the crowd. This was not normal and his instinct drove him to go towards what was trusted. Too bad that in this herd, he was feeling uterly alone.
Post 1 | 340 words
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Post by empyre on Jan 25, 2017 18:47:16 GMT -6
Odette had asked to stay at home today, had given every excuse she could possibly pull out of her ass to get out of leaving her quarters at all, but it hadn't been enough. She had a feeling that her current...physical state may have been the reason she wasn't given an option to go or stay home. Perhaps if the population looked at her swelling belly, they'd feel more at ease. Surely the emperor wouldn't be having more children if the herd was in turmoil right?
"Yeah right." Odette thought, nearly snorting out loud at the thought. Though at least things were calm enough that she could be here at home instead of being shipped out to shady little islands in the middle of nowhere. At least her child would be born in warmth and safety instead of on a cold stone floor in the middle of a storm as Cassandra had been.
The sacrifices had never been Odette's favorite part of the herd's culture, but nor did she detest it as some did. She'd just rather nobody have to die in general, but fighting against such a deep set tradition seemed more trouble than it'd be worth in the end. She let her gaze fall to the ground when the sacrifice's wings where severed and he was sent off to his watery grave. She sent a quiet prayer up to Cascade that she take the poor soul into her embrace and give him a new life.
When she lifted her gaze once more, Odette searched the crowd, watching their reaction with bated breath. When all seemed calm, she found herself searching instead for a familiar buckskin coat-
She shook her head, quickly banishing those thoughts. For the gods' sakes, she was carrying Hawkeye's child and here she was searching the crowds for another stallion! She could barely begin her spiral of self deprecating thoughts before a high pitched wail broke through the settled calm.
A cry of fear tore itself from her own throat as the bombs fell suddenly as if from nowhere. She gasped for breath only to break into a coughing fit, nearly falling to her knees from the force of it. A fierce protectiveness tightened in her chest, and her gaze was cast upwards, trying and failing to scope out the attackers through the chaos and smoke. As the citizens around her panicked and fled around her she found herself needing to focus as well on protecting herself from being trampled, her 14 hand stature not helping her at all.
"Hawke-" she began
"Odette!?" the cry came before she could finish her own, and so instead of seeking her husband, Odette turned towards her fellow concubine. She found Amara through nothing but hearing and sheer luck, and she pressed herself against the other. Now was not the time for petty quarrels.
"Stay close." She said shakily, eyes wide as they tried to make out anything other than smoke and the occasional panicking equine.
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Post by GingerBlues on Jan 28, 2017 17:02:32 GMT -6
Hawkeye The age of man is over
A darkness comes at dawn
These lessons that we've learned here
Have only just begun
The Emperor watched solemnly as the Summer Solstice Ceremony proceeded. Eve's divine wisdom in choosing a volunteer seemed to have paid off as the crowd stood in reverent silence. It did Hawkeye's heart good, seeing his herd once again united as they celebrated such a sacred holiday. It had been months since they had last stood together, and the Emperor had had his doubts that they ever would again... But today, today was proof that it was possible.
As the Ceremony came to a close, Hawkeye began the slow walk back to the palace. There was still much to do today, and he needed to ensure everything continued to go smoothly. Just as that thought ran through his mind, he spotted the dark figures dropping down from the clouds...The Flight had returned.
Chaos overtook the crowd almost immediately as strangled cries of fear and the sound of explosions rand out across the herd.Hawke stood, unmoving as he scanned the masses for his wives, particularly Damaris and her children. Though his most beloved was missing, he did spot Amara and Odette, huddled together as they tried to withstand the onslaught of horses racing out of the immediate area. Forcing his way through the crowd, the emperor made his way to the mares, urging them forward.
"Hurry. We need to keep moving." He said firmly, glancing up at the winged assailants. He needed to find his officials and get his wives to safety, he only hoped the guardians could keep the flight at bay long enough for that to happen...
Post #: 1
Word Count: 259
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Post by PennthePony on Jan 28, 2017 23:22:08 GMT -6
Selora || Craftsman
*warning - post contains vomit*
The waves of equines seemed to roll and crash as they rushed to safety, the current flowing towards the Palace. Where they thought it would be safe. Selora had only been running for what felt like ages before she was shoved aside, tripping over bodies, nearly being trampled herself by the much larger horses around her. A trickle of warmth had made its way down her temple as she blinked, trying to regain clear vision. Dizziness settled into her belly, causing the usually so prim and proper mare to vomit in the cobblestone street, hacking up that morning's breakfast. Gagging on her spittle, Selora attempted to regain her footing, only to be tripped on by another unfortunate horse. The blow hit her neck, more crimson warmth staining her champagne roan coat. Biting her lip hard to forget the pain, Selora shoved herself to her feet, forgetting the dizziness she was feeling and turning towards the crowd. Eyes wide and dried blood sticking to her nose, the small statured mare rounded back towards the current of the mass. She allowed it to take her, unsteadily running with it instead of against it. To the palace she would go.
In her dizzy rush, Selora saw a flash of a familiar face. The white blaze, the chestnut coat, those sunny eyes. But it couldn't be him. It could not be Midas; he was back in Sedo now with his daughter. No Ambassador had been chosen yet, or had they replaced her that quickly?
Though her thoughts escaped her quickly as she heard a noise, one that was not welcome, but becoming unfortunately familiar..
Another explosion ruptured somewhere behind her, yet Selora had not a moment to look back. The ground beneath her trembled, screams of pain ringing through the crowded streets. She was climbing then, over something softer than cobblestone. And when she looked down, it was a large stallion, though he couldn't have been more than twenty. Wide eyed, she gasped, scrambling off of the body and weaving her way through the crowd, keen on being the first to the Palace, even if that meant getting there before the Emperor. She had to live, she had to. If she were ever to see her family again, there were no other options.
As she raced - er, rather shoved through the streets towards the Palace, Selora's eyes fell upon a few familiar faces, though she hated to admit the Emperor's face had become familiar. He and two of his concubines were ahead of her, and she was coming straight for them. Despite her own fear, she thought it best to serve her Emperor... just to avoid being shipped off to Eithne.
"Emperor! Emperor Hawkeye!" With a dip of her Arabian head, she assumed a concerned facial expression that became somewhat genuine when her eyes fell upon the rounded belly of one of the concubines. "Emperor, allow me to escort your ladies to the Palace! Please sir, I wish not to see another child die in vain! These streets are not safe!" Carefully chosen words for a carefully conducted woman. Of course she was perfect for the job, seeing as everyone seemed to only care for themselves for the moment.
Well, she was no different. But at least she had offered amidst the chaos...
Post #2
words: 549
notes: time for bed woo x) |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jan 29, 2017 18:24:07 GMT -6
Rycaron | The Sage
It was early morning and all seemed to be peaceful, even the weather was calm, a good omen to the golden hippocampus. The reports trickling into his office had all been good, and the stallion had allowed himself to breath a sigh of relief. It was with a light and hopeful heart that he accompanied the parade through the city, head high, fins fanned, and pearls strands clinking inaudibly amongst the noise of the crowd. He took his accustomed place beside the Emissaries and Ambassadors, stationed near his Emperor, watching as his silver sister lead the volunteer sacrifice up to the cliff. Rycaron's heart lifted as he watched, a small, pleased smile gracing muzzle at the pegasus stallion's words. Eve had done well with deciding to call for a volunteer, and Rycaron could tell that this individual was glad at the chance to shed his wings in exchange for fins within the Wave Mother's embrace. The hippocampus was glad the pegasus' chance would come sooner than it would for others of his kind. Aqua colored eyes watched feathers float on the wind as wings were shorn, ears canted forward to listen to the Divine's words. The Sage watched the pegasus leap from the cliff, adding his own blessing and thanks, hopes for a bright rebirth for the individual. Everything was going so well, he thought, as gaze shifted to take in the crowd. It was a stark contrast from the last Solstice, where the crowds had been rowdy and had started rioting. Everyone appeared at ease, ready to continue with the celebration, and hope continued to make the stallion's heart float. All until a shriek rent the air above, and small booms began to go off about them. Smoke filled the air, causing the stallion to cough, head jerking up in confusion to catch glimpses of flying horses above, as flashes of red continued to blossom within the corners of his sight. "NO!" Rycaron whispered, heart plummeting with his chest. "Remain calm, get to the palace!" The Sage called out, pitching his voice to carry even as aqua eyes sought out the striped form of his Emperor. He had to get to Hawkeye, to make sure he was alright. He might not be a fighter, but he could summon whatever Guardians were nearby, and he knew Thaumas would be handling the situation once more. Rycaron may be too far from the Divine to aid her, but he knew the defender would make sure she was safe. He would see to those nearby. Wide eyes locked upon a confused soul nearby, rearing and looking lost. "Midas, with me!" Ry ordered, knowing the Seroran hadn't been with them long, since his return, and at least the Sage would be a familiar face to him within this newly churned up chaos. Gaze continued to rove, searching frantically through the smoke, though he tried to remain an epicenter of calm. There."My Emperor!" The Sage called out, spotting the other stallion beside two of his wives. He hurried forward, not even looking to see if Midas was following, if the other had sense then he would be. The goldfish hippocampus took his place flanking the two mares, understanding that Hawkeye's concern lay more with them than it did for himself. He also knew the other was not at all incapable of defending himself, and guardians should be about them soon. Attention was snagged by a third mare approaching, recognizing her for a moment when the wind shifted the smoke. Selora. The Sage remained quiet, glancing briefly in suspicion at the mare, but knew Hawkeye would take his silence that he didn't find it a bad idea for her to help. Another body to shield and guide wouldn't be turned down by him, at any rate. //Post #1 | 635 Words |
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jan 30, 2017 14:36:13 GMT -6
Midas | Seroran ambassador
As the choas thrived on around him, a call made Midas' head swivel around. His name. Amongst the sounds and movement in which he barely could keep himself from getting swept away by the masses, trying to get themselves to safety. He laid eyes on the retreating behind of who he recognized as nobody else as the Talorian's sage. Latching onto the familiarity, Midas pushed found the strenght to push against the crow. It was crazy and the panic sent the horses into a frenzy. Midas was having trouble focussing, the many sounds overwhelming him. He was a horse of well-chosen words and careful planning. He liked being in control and this situation was not allowing him to feel that way at all. His heart beating fast, he carried after Rycaron, for a second concetrated on him and him alone.
A wail had his head snapping to the side, heart breaking as he saw a little filly crying and calling for her parents. Before he could even think of helping her however, she disappeared out of sight. He saw horses bump into eachother, almost climb over eachother and as another explosion went off, even use eachother as living shield. He was so buzzy being sick that he almost forgot to look where he was going, but then another familiar face caught his attention. Selora. The mare he had left in charge of their foreign relations and had managed to turn things upside down. She was a piece of home in foreign land and Midas called out to her. "Selora!" It seemed she too was not alone though, the emperor himself just in front of her. Things were crazy indeed.
Post 2 | 280 words
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Post by empyre on Feb 1, 2017 21:49:58 GMT -6
The instant Hawkeye found them, Odette was pressed to his side, the much larger stallion a comforting presence among the chaos and panic closing in around them. She nodded mutely to his orders and hurried alongside him as best as she could manage with the foal inside her weighing down on her limbs and occasionally kicking at her ribs.
She jumped slightly, her nerves on edge, when they were approached by another mare. Odette recognized her vaguely, but couldn't recall her name until another stallion called it out as he approached with Rycaron. While the presence of the others certainly brought a greater sense of protection, Odette still needed to get out of there, get to the safety of the palace and out of the smokey air.
As if on cue, those thoughts brought forth a coughing fit, which in turn brought a restlessness to the life inside of her; the foal kicking out once more. "Please be calm my darling." she spoke softly, nudging her side gently with her nose. "Please, we mustn't stand here any longer!" she said to the gathered equines then, her desperation and fear for her child filling her voice "We have to move now!"
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Post by GingerBlues on Feb 2, 2017 16:32:17 GMT -6
Hawkeye The age of man is over
A darkness comes at dawn
These lessons that we've learned here
Have only just begun
Hawkeye stood protectively in front of his wives as Selora approached him. He eyed her skeptically as she spoke, wondering if she had anything to do with this mess, though he pushed the thought aside once he realized how fearful she looked as well. "We don't have time for formal escorts, we are going now. Stay close." He said, nudging Selora along.
As he pushed his way through the crowd, taking care to keep an eye on the trio of mares surrounding him, he heard a voice over the screams.
"My Emperor!"
The familiarity of the voice made Hawkeye pick his head up as he looked around for the source. Not too far from where he stood, Rycaron, his chosen sage, was pushing through the mob of horses. "Rycaron!" He called back, letting the other horse know he'd heard him. Rycaron was one of the Emperor's most trusted advisors, and closest friends, and the great bay hippocampus was thankful to have him by his side once more. "We need to get to safety." He said firmly to the sage as he came within earshot. Without waiting for a response he continued to press on, leading his family through the crowd.
Hawkeye came to an abrupt halt as he almost crashed into another familiar equine. Midas. The stallion had been the Seroran ambassador for years, and quickly replaced Selora after her...incident. The stallion worked closely with Rycaron, and though Hawkeye didn't know him well, he wasn't opposed to having more help. He opened his mouth to say something to the ambassador, but Odette's panicked voice cut him off.
"Please, we mustn't stand here any longer! We have to move now!"
Hawkeye glanced back at his wife once more, fear evident in her eyes. Reaching back, he pressed his muzzle to her forehead in an attempt to reassure her as he nodded. Just as he went to take another step forward, a devastating crash rang out over the immediate area. Hawkeye's eyes scanned the crowd trying to pinpoint the source. That's when he saw it. The palace entrance had been destroyed, preventing entry.
The emperor's mind raced, as time seemed to stand still. The palace was no longer an option, horses were being killed and injured left and right, guardians were scattered with no real plan of attack or even a way to get the upper hoof, most of his officials were missing, and so was the rest of his family. For all he knew, they could all be dead. She shook the thought away, knowing he couldn't dwell on that possibility. He needed to get somewhere those with him would be safe, someplace he could regroup and get aid. As he looked around, he knew that the herd was lost...and there was nothing he would be able to do right now to change that.
"We need a new plan..." He said, urging the small party into a small alleyway nearby. "We can't stay here... we need to get somewhere safe that we can regroup and rally forces...." He paused, glancing at Rycaron and Midas. "We are of no use to the herd if we are captured, or worse..." His voice wavered slightly, filled with distress and an uncertainty he had never felt before. "We will make our way to the docks... We are going to Sedo."
Post #: 2
Word Count: 557
Posting Frequency: Once a Week
The palace is no longer an option and there is no hope of recovering from this attack to retake the city as it is. You're only hope to reclaim the herd and ensure your own survival is to make it to the docks. Move quickly, and stay out of sight, the Flock are looking for you. |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Feb 3, 2017 17:54:37 GMT -6
Rycaron | The Sage
The golden hippocampus' heart went out to the two mares between he and Hawkeye, especially the rounded form of Odette. Why was this happening now? Truly it wasn't a question he needed to ask himself, Rycaron knew the tactical advantages and fear that was being deployed against them. But why had they had no warning? Why had Cascade been silent? As thoughts whirled through his mind, the Sage could only nod in reply to the great bay nearby, gaze sliding from Midas and Selora to the route before them, seeking out any guardians he could snag for their safety, and to check the route ahead. But little could be seen through the ever shifting smoke, until a resounding crash thundered into the air. It seemed to create a shift in the air, pushing the smoke away briefly and granting a sad and unimpeded view of the palace--where the front had sloughed away and crumbled, lying in ruins. "Dear Cascade, why..." Rycaron could only breath, voice barely above a whisper as his heart leapt up into his throat. His tower and the Defender's looked all but destroyed, and his heartbeat was all the stallion could hear for a moment. Had Cherub been inside when it collapsed, or was she out here, afraid and trying to find safety like the rest. Where was Corrine? Numbed thoughts focused upon his servant and childhood friend as Hawkeye ushered them into a nearby alley, the typically calm official quite shaken for a moment. They couldn't go back to the palace. That thought shifted through his mind several times, until the familiar voice is his friend rang into his ears. Aqua eyes focused upon the leader of the Talori, noting the wavering quality as a decision was quickly reached. They were going to flee the country. Leave Inaria and Aquore. Go to Sedo. Rycaron felt like he could barely breathe, though he forced air into his lungs with a deep breath, wide eyes shifting about their small group. They had to get to safety, and of course Hawkeye was entirely right. They had to keep him safe, alive, out of the Flight's wings and reach. He wasn't sure why his friend and liege lord had chosen Sedo, but there was no time for questions or second guessing decisions. Hawkeye had his reasons and Rycaron knew they would be good ones. He could only assume it was because that country lay the closest, easiest to get to with a ship on short notice. Nothing else mattered right then, he could learn more later, when they made it to relative safety. The docks, right now they had to get to the docks. With another deep breath, and yet another in quick succession, the Sage forced his thoughts to settle, looking about the alley they were in, the streets they were nearby. He was most likely the one with the most experience with the city, having been out of the palace more often than the Emperor or his wives, and he was native to the area, unlike two of their companions. He brought a map up the city into his mind, closing his eyes briefly as he debated routes they could take. "I will get us to the docks," Rycaron announced, forcing his voice out with a breath so it would sound stronger, more steady than he truly felt within. His fins quivered slightly, though he tried to stop the trembling of fear and anxiety, of this unknown. They had to get to safety. "This way, everyone," the Sage ordered, turning and heading further into the alley, before gesturing to the right. He had picked out a slightly more winding path, hoping they'd be able to stay off of main roads that he assumed would remain watched by the flying assailants above. But neither could they dally. Please Wave Mother, help me get your chosen to safety, the chestnut equine prayed, wondering if their patron deity would even be able to hear him above the cacophony on dry land. Post #2 | WC//670 |
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Post by moonlightwalk on Feb 4, 2017 12:13:25 GMT -6
Midas | Seroran ambassador
It all seemed so unrealistic. Sure Midas had been brought up to speed of what had transpired upon his arrival. He had listened with disbelieving ears how chaos had accompagnied the last sacrifice. Not so much disbelief of that horses had been disgruntled, but that it had happened at all. He had always assumed it was accepted by the whole of the herd. Still it was alarming to hear that it had endangered the lives of horses on both, or maybe even those on neither, side of the conflict. It had seemed to him however that the quiet had returned. As disgusting as it was, this sacrifice even seemed happy being thrown off a cliff. It sufaces to say that Midas was caught off guard by the sudden chaos. His eyes fell on the round belly of one of the emperor's wifes. Pregnant. He was reminded of Phoenix back at home again. These rebels. They were attacking and taking innocent lives. Though he could relate to their cause, it was by no means the right way to go about it. He felt disgust rise up in his stomach towards them as well. When did things go so wrong in this herd? Was this what Cascade left as heritance to their world? He sent up a quick prayer to both his godsesses as the emperor declared their plan of action. "Emperor," he called, always having refused to add 'my' like some Talorians did, but being polite in his addressing of the ruler still. "Your other wives, your children?" His eyes showed hurt, knowing the emperor had not long ago gotten another daughter of his own too. Was he leaving them behind? It must be a though choice. His mind went out towards a black and beautiful mare. Ívarra. He sent another prayer, hoping she would be alright. There was nothing he could do in this chaos, nothing but basic defensive training beneath his belt. They had to get to the docks and fast. How ironic that he would escort them towards his own country so soon after arriving.
Post 347 | 491 words
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Post by PennthePony on Feb 4, 2017 20:24:48 GMT -6
Selora || Craftsman
" We are going to Sedo." A part of Selora wished to celebrate, though inappropriate in their current situation. Yet the other parts screamed at her to reject this. To stay behind in Aquore and lie at the hooves of the Flock. She couldn't face the Sultan again, not after her demotion. Not after the permanent reminder of what she had done had been burned into her flesh; she couldn't face the reality of it all. Yet her legs would not allow her to turn and leave. The divinity of the Wave Mother, or perhaps the shock of the situation, was keeping her legs moving forward with the group. She stuck close to the pregnant one's side, the odd spike of emotions nearly overwhelming her, bringing hot tears to her eyes. She blinked them away, forcing herself to be numb, if she could not be calm. Not having noticed the Sage until he called out for the group to turn into a winding alleyway, Selora's attentions turned to the hippocampus stallion standing behind Rycaron. What she had thought she had seen earlier, when she had been running about attempting to gain the upper hoof in the crowd, was confirmed. Midas had returned, and her job was very much his now. Sudden hostile emotions rose in the pit of her stomach, yet she had to shove them aside for now. She could not lose the group, she had to keep up her pace. Having shorter legs than all of them, this was a bit difficult.
"Emperor, your other wives? Your children?"
It was Midas breaking into her concentration, always the golden boy, so worried about everyone else. A bit of that hostile emotion spiking within her, Selora's voice rose before she had a moment to think on the words she would say. Of course she knew better, but the country was going to Hell. What the hell did it matter now.
"I am certain they will be fine, Ambassador. My Emperor has taken precautions for the possibility of another attack, I am sure."
She spoke his title with as much venom as she could muster, though all of that sass took her breath away and she lowered her head to keep up her pace, avoiding the eyes of everyone else. Usually one who was so controlled and tactful, the statement had surprised her. Why hadn't she simply shut her mouth.
But she wouldn't apologize for herself. Her pride would not allow the small mare to do such a thing.
The smoke was less concentrated in the back roads, the streets nearly clear save for a few fallen buildings and debris. They would have to climb over some of the brick and concrete if they could not find another way, a feat that frightened even one as daring as Selora. So many variables that could go wrong, especially with the pregnant mare...
She found herself walking nearer to Midas, the familiar face from her home, although she could feel the very present tension between them like a jab in her side. She had worn her sheer fabrics that day, and her curls had been styled to hide her branding, but the fear that he would see it was still pricking the back of her mind. And all the running and flying embers had turned her curls into a tangled mess of sizzled frizz stuck to the sweat on her back, and her scarf had been ripped in her struggle to not drown in the tsunami of bodies. Odds are everyone knew what she was now, if they were paying that close attention to detail in their rush to the docks.
Post #3
words: 607
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Post by GingerBlues on Feb 8, 2017 23:32:01 GMT -6
Hawkeye The age of man is over
A darkness comes at dawn
These lessons that we've learned here
Have only just begun
"I will get us to the docks, This way, everyone." Rycaron's voice was sure as he responded to the Emperor's statement, Hawkeye was thankful the Sage didn't take the time to ask questions. Of course, he'd explain once they secured passage on a ship and were safely out of harms way, but now was not at all the time or place. He gently nudged Amara and Odette onward as the group made their way through the crowd, trying to quell the anxiety painted on their faces, though he knew it wouldn't do much good.
All around them horses screamed in panic as more explosives rained down from the skies. Groans of pain could be heard as injured citizens fell behind. It pained the emperor, seeing his people in such pain and terror, and knowing that he was helpless to do anything for them at this time.... Yes, he could stay and fight, but he would be of no use to his people if he died in battle. In fact, it would leave them in an even more hopeless situation. Hawke cringed, feeling the weight of his position more heavily than ever before. He tried to focus on the task at hoof, but his mind continued to wander to those he was unable to assist. How many deaths would take place today? Tomorrow? Were his other wives counted in that number? Were his children?
He wanted to break down right there. Just stop dead in his tracks and sob, but he knew in his heart that he couldn't. He could not afford to show weakness right now. He couldn't afford to keep pressing on...
"Emperor, Your other wives, your children?" The Seroran ambassador's voice broke Hawkeye's train of thought. He looked at the foreign hippocampus, a distant look in his eyes as he opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut of by Selora. "I am certain they will be fine, Ambassador. My Emperor has taken precautions for the possibility of another attack, I am sure."
Hawke's eyes narrowed as he glared at the little mare. Who did she think she was? To speak in his place, on behalf of him and his family? Anger rose up in his belly as a small storm began to brew over the emperor's head. "Do not ever speak for me or my family again." He said as he turned back to face the mare, his voice cold as ice. While the situation was a dire one for sure, he was still the emperor and he would not allow some traitor to behave otherwise.
A noise above him caught his attention, leading the emperor to glance skyward. Hovering at least fifteen feet above the crowd, he spotted a golden coated pegasus staring straight back at him. As their eyes met, Hawkeye uttered a single word. "Run!" Before the word had even left his lips, the palomino was charging towards them. "Hurry, we need to lose him." Hawke shouted, pure fury leaking through every word. He was not in the mood to play games with these terrorists.
Post #: 3
Word Count: 514
Posting Frequency: Once a Week
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Post by empyre on Feb 11, 2017 17:09:25 GMT -6
After her frightened outburst, Odette fell silent, focusing solely on each huffed breath as she fought desperately to keep up with the group. Her stomach turned with each stumbling, half trot-half cantered step she took, and a blackness began to creep into the edges of her vision. The only thing that kept her from tripping over the dead and dying, or her own damn hooves was the reassuring press of the emperor's flank against her side.
"Hawk-" she began, but choked on her own breath. She needed to stop, needed a moment to breathe. She was due in the next coming weeks according to her most recent checkup, and she doubted all this crazed running was doing any wonders for herself or the baby.
Amber eyes widened in panic, and a ragged scream was torn from her throat as Hawkeye's yelled command to run brought her back into reality her every instinct now telling her to get herself to safety. Following Rycaron she pushed forward with renewed vigor, adrenaline forcing down the terrible ache pulsating through her whole body.
The Sage took a sharp turn suddenly, Odette only managing to stay on her feet by leaning against her husband as the group dove into a narrow alleyway. The perusing pegasus let out an enraged shout as he was forced to pull back, his wingspan too wide to allow him to swoop down on them. He was not deterred for long, much to Odette's horror, and instead landed with legs already running to charge them on hoof.
Almost without thought, driven almost entirely by blind panic, Odette whipped around her blessing forming a cold pit deep in her chest before it exploded down her legs, through her hooves and into the ground. Through some stroke of sheer luck, the ground was still wet from a recent rainfall, the water instantly freezing as her magic drove down and out.
Perhaps caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, the terrorist nearly immediately lost his footing, hooves flying wildly as he fought for traction and was momentarily flailing through midair before landing hard on his side. In his desperation, however he managed to let loose one of the explosives still on his person. Odette tried to turn and run once more, but she wasn't fast enough. All she could see for a moment was a flash, and then pain erupted through her hind leg and she fell to the ground with a pained sob.
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Post by arlybarlywartek on Feb 12, 2017 14:55:49 GMT -6
Amara was nudged on by the Emperor, she was quick to follow after Odette. There was chaos all around, she took a deep breath as she was moving, letting a wave of coolness wash over her body. The explosions and screams surrounding her sent a horrifying chill up her spine but she refused to be disturbed. It wasn't something she hadn't heard before, the deaths of the villagers, she'd taken a life before, what could terrify her now?
Losing your own...
Amara's jaw tightened, her ears flattening against her neck in thought, mindlessly following the group that now had the Sage with them...She raised a brow, glancing at him. She didn't recall a time of being able to meet him face to face, suppose this was as good of a chance as ever. Hah, Amara smirked and shook her head at her thoughts. He announced that he was going to help them get to the docks. The docks!? Amara furrowed her brow, creasing her skin as she stretched her legs beneath the fabric of her cloak. It wasn't much use for her, the rushing of the group quickly out ran her and she was lagging behind them, barely keeping up thanks to her stumpy genetics.
She panted, growing frustrated with her shortness. The Emperor startled Amara by yelling.
"RUN!"
Run? Run from wha- OH. A pegasus was above them, now following them with intent to harm. Could this day already get any worse? The winding of the path Rycaron was leading them on, she was curious, had she ever walked this path before? Outrunning vendors as she made away with their wares....Snrk. Oh yeah! She remembered that...When she was 16.... It dawned on her how vivid the memories were, they were so adventurous and filled with the torment of the other members of the herd. That really wasn't the thing to be thinking about now. Control yourself.
Amara's slow pace echoed off the walls of the alley. The pegasus above did not sound pleased....
"Hah!" She laughed at the pegasus, watching as he landed ahead of them to trap them in the alley. Odette surprised Amara, she hadn't expected that. With the pegasus downed by Odette's ice, the bomb that rolled free from her made the short mare prick her ears up in surprise and horror. It wasn't like Amara could run towards the explosion.
With the pegasus down, there came another cry. A female from above. With the explosion in front of the small group, the pegasus flying above them throwing a smoke bomb into the alley way. To add insult to injury, rubbing salt into the wound; Another bomb was thrown down, crashing into the alley wall and sending debris flying across the alley, the rubble piling up behind the group with Amara finding herself caught beneath it. The pegasus mare seemed rabid with rage, she threw a small glass orb that contained oil and a flame sitting atop it. Once it hit the ground, the alley was engulfed with flames.
There wasn't a peep from Amara, it was like she had vanished in the smoke. With a roar, Amara burst from the flames, losing her cloak in the process. She bucked and yelled angrily back at the rubble and flames. "BASTARD! That was my favourite cloak!" She bellowed in anger, there was not a scratch upon her dark coat. Just a spunky, bouncing mare throwing her hind legs in frustration as she bumped into another horse in the small group, not looking where she was going.
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Post by moonlightwalk on Feb 14, 2017 15:46:48 GMT -6
Midas | Seroran ambassador
It was like everything around him zoned out for a bit as a voice broke Midas' train of thought. Selora. The stallion was taken aback by the amount of hostility that laid in her words and he wondered what had happened to her here, that she had become so bitter. Well, he supossed being permanently stuck in a foreign country with no hope of returning home could drive anyone mad. He would surely wither on the inside himself if he could not touch bases now and then with his beloved Sedo. It was only through training that he did not wince as the emperor himself berated the mare for her behavior. He almost felt sorry for her.
Come now, miss, don't-" Whatever he had wanted to say was lost as they were told to run. Time sped up again and the noise of chaos around them returned. Midas did not hesitate to follow the direction, not in a rush to get hurt. He looked over his back and cursed, seeing the pegasus hot on their tails. Dear Alya, no child of his goddess was supossed to behave like that. His speed was only tempered by the knowledge that one mare, heavy with child, could not keep up. Children were precious in Serora and Midas had always been thought to respect those who carried them and treat them with care. It had been drilled into him so when one thing let to another and a bomb exploded behind their back, Midas quickly turned as he saw the pregnant mare hit the ground. "Are you alrigh? he asked, trying his own small but plentiful wounds that the flying debris had caused. Oh, he really hoped it would not scar.
Post 4 | 287 words
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Post by Dream-Lark on Feb 15, 2017 5:46:03 GMT -6
Rycaron | The Sage
Aqua eyes cast quite the disapproving look toward Selora when she spoke, quote displeased with her attitude and forgetting her mind and tongue in current company. No matter the circumstances, that was not how a former Ambassador conducted herself. Lips pulled down into a slight frown to accompy the expression, hooves continuing their movement, gaze alighting upon his Emperor and just about to urge the stallion to dissipate the storm cloud forming above his head. Such a display would only draw attention that much more easily to them, though he knew how distraught the powerful bay was.
The words died upon his lips when shouts filled the air, fright appearing on everyone's faces, and Hawkeye's command to run. A glance over their backs showed the pegasus swooping toward them, and the Sage said a silent curse, leaping forward.
"This way!" He shouted, gathering everyone, and casting one worried glance toward the pregnant, and thus slower, memeber of their party. He peeled down an alley toward the right, tempering his pace, but silently urging as much speed from the group as possible. He was aiming for the narrow streets, where the pegasus would hopefully either be forced higher in the air where they could lose him, or onto the groud where they might be able to reach the flying pest.
His planned seemed to be working, as aqua eyes glanced over his shoulder again, surprise widening his eyes as Odette cast ice back along their trail, causing the terrorist to catch and fall. But things didn't get better better because of it.
Instead a bomb exploded, rolling away from the pegasus. Jaw dropped as he saw the mare get caught too close, thrown to the ground. Before he could move, though he already saw Hawkeye reacting to her scream, when another pegasus, this one female swoooped down and released a smoke bomb.
Rycaron coughed trying to search through the smoke when fire errupted. Amara darted through the smoke, having lost her cloak, but bucking like a wild thing and bumping into him. "Amara, please calm yourself before you injure yourself or someone else," the Sage ordered, shaking his head, gaze darting around.
"Is everyone alright?" He called, unable to see the extend of Odette's damage from where Hawkeye was helping her up. The only blessing with this situation was the smoke helped obscure them from the winged menace above. They needed to get away from the eyes in the sky, immediately.
Post #3 // WC416
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Post by PennthePony on Feb 20, 2017 18:09:23 GMT -6
Selora || Craftsman
Clenching her teeth together as she felt eyes glare down at her, it only momentarily dawned on her that perhaps she shouldn't have spoken... Or perhaps it was the Emperor speaking to her in the coldest tone she had ever heard. It was no matter, he should be grateful she was sticking up for him and his leadership, seeing as he was fleeing from his own country. Muzzle twitching with a maniacal sort of way as lilac eyes laid upon the golden pegasus carrying bombs of various kinds, she felt a glazed smile stretch her mouth. "We're all going to die." She said under her breath, eyes flashing to Midas in a fearful yet defiant way. If they would not reach the docks, then she would.
Running with the group, though lagging behind with the pregnant one, Selora only had a moment to switch her path as the pegasus blocked their path, and the concubine's blessing rained all hell on the winged stallion. The golden body fell to the ground, although not without his last hurrah. Two bombs were sent flying, the smoke bomb landing not far from Selora, the blast making her ears ring. As the second bomb exploded, she felt a searing pain in her belly. She had no time to react. She had to get out of there. Shoving herself onto her hooves, ignoring the splitting pain in her side, the tiny mare searched for Midas' familiar face... Although she still felt a bitterness towards him, he seemed to be the only one in this group who knew not the full extent of what she had done in her time as Ambassador. She could still trust him, at least in their current situation.
The bay coat flashed by her, and an unholy scream ripped through her throat as she stepped on something extremely hot. Fire, embers? What did it matter, it hurt like hell. "MIDAS!" She screamed, tears blinding her as she limped towards who she thought was Midas. Though when her nose bumped into a larger mass that she knew could not be Midas just by the very Talorian smell, but she could hardly care. Any one was better than limping around blindly by herself. "Cascade help me..." She spoke in pained gasps as her belly felt as though it was ripping in half. What she couldn't see was the blood that was covering her rump, and the burn that now riddled her left foreleg. She could only feel hot pain throughout her body and hot tears on her face, trying to see past those tears as the smoke caused more of them to fog her vision. And she could feel heat near her, but what could she care now.
She wished to scream at the Sage for leading them to their death. Or the Emperor for leaving his country in ruins and not knowing this would happen. It had to be someone's fault.
Post #4
words: 488
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Post by GingerBlues on Feb 22, 2017 1:55:49 GMT -6
Hawkeye The age of man is over
A darkness comes at dawn
These lessons that we've learned here
Have only just begun
The entire scene seemed to play itself out in slow motion. From the moment the small group had begun running to being trapped in a small alleyway, fire blocking one end and terrorists blocking the other. Enough was enough. THawkeye reached out with the blessing that the great Wave Mother had granted him so many years before. His anger and sadness twisting the rainfall he had previously summoned from a relatively gentle shower to a raging storm. Though the radius was rather small, it was enough to lessen the fire's flames and dampen some of the smoke that surrounded them.
Rushing to Odette's side, he lifted the tiny mare onto his back. It would slow them down for sure, but from the looks of it, others were injured as well, though not as grievously, nor were their bellies heavy with child. "I'm here, Odette. I've got you, you're going to be ok." He said attempting to shift the mare into a position that would be comfortable for both of them, though flattening his spines against his back was never an easy task.
Glancing from Rycaron to the small opening in the flames, Hawkeye motioned for the group to press on, not wanting to give away their location with the terrorists so near, no matter how distracted by their own wounds they seemed to be. Pressing through the flames he continued to talk to Odette in a calm voice, attempting to reassure her that both she and her child were going to be alright. Looking back at the small group, a heavy sadness filled the Emperor's eyes. Behind them the great city of Inaria was still under attack, chaos running through her streets like a flood.
Yet here he stood at the city limits, pushing onward to the docks to flee his country. Guilt and anger tugged at his heart. He wanted to rush back in...to leave the sage with his family and valiantly overtake the Flight alone... but he knew he couldn't. His guardians, though trained for emergencies within the herd, had never experienced war, nor were they prepared for it. His officials were as scattered as his family, and their safety and whereabouts were just as unknown. There was no way they could have been prepared for such an attack, and that thought alone terrified Hawke. Now he was leaving his country to the terrorists. But what else could he do? Stay behind and get captured or killed? Help no one and watch as his herd fell to ruins at the hooves of the Flight?
No. He would travel to Sedo and seek aid from the Serorans...While tensions between their herds had always been relatively high, recent years had seen more civility. On top of that, he knew full well that the Serorans were also in a difficult place and were in need of aid. Maybe, just maybe an alliance could be built around compromise and their mutual need for assistance... at least that's what he was hoping for. Having Midas, Rycaron, and even Selora along would be incredibly helpful in planning how to best approach the Sultan as well as preparation for the culture shock many of them would experience...
Taking a deep breath, he nuzzled Odette's cheep gently before turning to the rest of the equines with him. This was not going to be easy, but he hoped it would be worth it. "While we shouldn't be in immediate danger out here, I don't want to risk a stray squad of the Flight following or finding us. Move quickly and stay close. Once we get to the docks we can also obtain aid for any injuries acquired." His eyes moved to Amara and Selora who both seemed to have sustained a decent amount of damage as well. "Let's go." He said quietly, motioning down the road that would eventually lead to the docks.
Taking a step to the side, He waited for Rycaron to pass, knowing the stallion knew the way much better than he after years of emissary send offs and arrivals. Drawing close to Amara, he gently pressed his muzzle to her cheek, taking in the deeply singed scent of her coat. Giving her a knowing look, he began walking forward once more. Whether he liked it of not, this was his last chance to save his country.
Post #: 4
Word Count: 725
Posting Frequency: Once a Week
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Post by arlybarlywartek on Feb 24, 2017 11:22:58 GMT -6
She landed on all fours, glaring back at the fire- She noticed her tail. Amara stared in shock and...Well, horror. That thing had been there her entire life and just like that... All the braiding, all the neatness followed by a bush of curls...Gone. Ry's voice snapped her back to reality, ordering her to calm down. How could she just calm down when she lost...- EUGH Nevermind! The small mare felt a sting of saltiness, there was a shudder through her body as she tried to quell what would be a panic attack- Based less on the fact that it was chaotic around her and more on the fact that she'd just lost her tail. It was a singed mess.
"Apologies," She clenched her jaw, glaring at Ry until something else bumped into her- Knocking her back into Ry with a soft brush.
Her head whipped back round to see the mare that was previously scolded by the emperor, leaning on her for support. Amara's lips pulled into a tight line and she exhaled heavily. There was no use in pushing her away and moving on, she was injured and in pain. Amara swallowed and flattened her ears, she was no better than the poor thing. She reached back and lightly brushed her velvet muzzle over the small mare's, hoping to at least...Er...Comfort her?
"C'mon... Pull yourself together," She murmured against the muzzle of the mare, not entirely sure whether she was talking to the mare or herself.
"Let's get moving, come on." Amara lifted her head from Selora's and gently tugged on a piece of her forelock.
She turned to look ahead, feeling a wave of calm rush over her. There was already such a mess going on, Amara began to zone out. What use was another screaming horse? Ry had already made her feel bad...
Amara felt the muzzle of the Emperor's touch her cheek, pressing against it. Amara's bright amber eyes flickered across to gaze into his for a brief moment. She pulled her head away and moved away from the Emperor. Now was not really the time for any 'affection' that he would try to convey to her, Odette was on his back and she was trying to ignore the envy she felt. Why was there envy? It was an injured concubine. Perhaps she could speak to him later alone should they make it to the docks... She remained silent and turned her attention back to Selora.
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Post by Dream-Lark on Feb 25, 2017 12:43:16 GMT -6
Rycaron | The Sage
"I know it is rough," Rycaron replied, tone gentle, as he caught sight of Amara's glare. It wasn't hard to discern that she was incredibly upset, given the situation. Her life had been turned upside down, they were on the run, and now she was injured with most of her hair singed away.
He himself had singed locks and fur, scrapes and cuts. He could feel blood trickling slowly from a gash on his leg, though he barely felt the pain through the adrenaline that was coursing through his system at the moment. As blood shot eyes took in the group where he could through the smoke, he sucked in a breath, fighting the urge to cough from the unwise action.
Hawkeye was picking up Odette and comforting her, but Selora seemed to be a bloody mess. Amara and Midas appeared to be tending to her, which was good, as ears flickered toward his Emperor when the deep voice rumbled out. It lacked the usua inherent surety to Rycaron, instead tinged with the unease and bit of fear they all felt. It may not have been overly obvious to some, but Rycaron had spent over a decade listening to that voice, and he knew it well.
"We will get there," the Sage replied solemly, vowing by the Wave Mother that he was going to do his best. He cast another look over the group, took a steadying, if more shallow breath through parted lips, and set forward in the quickest pace he thought the others could keep up with.
Attention diverted between looking back to make sure he was not moving too quickly, to scanning the skies and roads about them, checking their course and making adjustements to try and keep them from being spotted or cornered once agaib.
Finally, the docks were in sight. They were so close, close enough Rycaron's thoughts began to turning to find the Dock Master, someone with the necessary information to find the ship they'd need. He didn't have much coin on him himsef, but he did have pearls, and Hawkeye had his raiments, the concubines the finery they'd adorned for the Festival. They would be fine.
Post #4 // WC369
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Post by moonlightwalk on Feb 27, 2017 14:20:58 GMT -6
Midas | Seroran ambassador
Midas' plan got sidetracked as Selora called out to him. His eyes found her, widening as hebsaw the bloody state she was in. She was crying as well. He gave one more glance at the pregnant mares, trusting the emperor to take care of them, before going to help his own. Her earlier odd reaction still lingered in the back of his mind, but he figured right now they needed to live to talk about it another day. He couldn't tell where the blood was coming from, feeling quite helpless in this situation. He ran towards her, pushing back his disgust at the blood being smearee onto his own coat, as he pressed his flank against the mare's, ushering her to come along. He knew she was probably hurting, but the group was moving along and so should they. If they could make it to those docks, which lay just in sight, if they could get on a boat, if they could get to Sedo, they could take care of it then. "Come now, dear, let's move. Bite through the pain, I know you're strong," he muttered into the mare's ear, eyes focussing not on her but the path in front of them. The emperor was carrying the pregnant one now. They could make this.
Post 5 | 215 words
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Post by Dream-Lark on Mar 3, 2017 18:12:54 GMT -6
Rycaron | The Sage
The orange hued stallion watched as Midas helped the injured mare along, mind oddly thinking about how odd the group must look, entering the docks where things werent utterly chaos just yet--but seemed to be getting there.
Equines all about stared, but the Sage only lifted his head high, pulling the heir of authority about him and demanding to see the Dock Master at once. The hippocampus shifted his weight as they weighted the precious moments it took for the other male to arrive, unable to abate the gesture as he looked back toward the city proper.
For now they seemed to have lost pursuit, but it wouldn't take long before the Flight began scouring the docks and sands to see if they had run there. Guilt bloomed in Rycaron's heart and mind at the thought of leaving Inaria, of leaving his people to this mess. But what choice did they have? And if he felt this way...he could only imagine what Hawkeye must be dealing with.
When the Master appeared, Rycaron swiftly ordered passage upon the nearest ship bound for Sedo, with the demand that it leave at once. His tone broked no argument, and he didn't spare a thought that gossip would eventually let the Flight know of their destination, because it would also give the people the knowledge that their Emperor hadn't been killed or taken hostage. There would be some semblance of hope left for them, for those who believed this rumor over the les savory ones. That was what he held too, as he led the party toward the slip where there ship was moored, already underway.
Most ships seemed to be getting ready to flee, likely seeing the smoke and hearing screams from the city, and deciding it was best to get out of there, no matter what exactly was going on. Ry had partially been counting on that, as he ushered the other equines past him and up the plank, boarding last but searching out the Captain to arrange payment, departure, and the ship's cleric figure to assist the mares immediately.
It was all handled swiftly, and the sails of the ship billowed out as they were unfured, a faint sight of relief slipping past the Sage's lips as he guided the group below decks and out of sight of the skies about them.
And yet, as he took a last glimpse of the genty rolling waters...what of Eve? Of Thaumas? Or Corrine, Cherub, the Empress, and the Council?
Typically light aqua eyes were several shades darker with worry and stress, as he sent several fervent prayer's to the Wave Mother, for everyone's safety and his group's safe travels. Hopefully she would hear them...for all else seemed lost to storms that day.
Post #5 // WC468
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Post by arlybarlywartek on Mar 3, 2017 19:38:35 GMT -6
A wave of relief washed over Amara as she finally boarded the ship. They'd be leaving for Sedo immediately and truth be told? Excitement was burning in her chest. Her heart had longed for something like this for so long. To finally see the lands beyond Aquore. She couldn't wait to see the desert. Maybe from this dark moment, something good could come from it? Odette was to give birth soon, Amara would see Sedo for the first time.... She had found her way to the side of the deck, standing at the railing with a small smirk. The winds on the shore flowed through her mane, the cool breeze sweeping over her body. Covered in dust and soot, Amara knew she must have not looked like a presentable mess. She wondered if there were any cuts or grazes across her thick coat, it wouldn't have been something new... But her tail?
She flicked it, it was a strange sight. A strange feeling. A weight was gone.
Her mouth twisted into a thin line.
Rycaron was moving them below deck however, she took a deep inhale. She needed the fresh ocean air for once.
Amara closed her eyes as she turned her back to the ocean. She was trying so desperately to ignore the real issue at hand. What was going to happen to Inaria? The palace? As eager as her heart was to roam the lands- she had worked so hard to get where she was. To get to a position that required little work and effort from her and she could indulge in riches of the Emeperor's.
Now there....Was...Nothing? Nothing she could return to? Amara inhaled sharply as she followed Rycaron below deck.
"My Sage," She murmured, approaching him quickly.
Amara was pulled from her thoughts, drawn to the injury on his leg.
"Your leg is wounded."
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