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Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Mar 25, 2017 10:25:35 GMT -6
Little Bird | Breim | Outsider
It felt like it had been such a long time since she had the chance for a little stroll around the underground city of Nariah without the joyful company of her daughter walking alongside her. While Little Bird couldn't be happier with her little Rosie being with her, she had to admit that it was nice being alone (or at least sort of alone). In recent weeks, she'd been ill and nauseous beyond belief, but finally feeling better, she seized the opportunity to get some shopping down in the market in Nariah's downtown district. It was filled with little shops with handmade items that Birdie adored to look at even if she didn't purchase anything. This trip, however, she planned on searching for some much needed items... and maybe a few little treats for herself if she found anything.
The pegasus mare dawned her cloak, sliding her wings into the cloak's slots to reveal her russet feathers while the rest of the cloth cleverly hid her frame. Planting a kiss on her daughter's cheek and then her husband's, she bid them farewell and began her walk through the underground city. The sights were always so different down here and even after living as a member of Breim for months, Little Bird always seemed to find something new and eye-catching. She often found herself thinking about her life as a Vindicator despite her love for her new herd, but while some would think these memories were of longing and a desire to return to her life as a protector of the defenseless, they were simply of fondness. While her love for her previous job and of course her fellow brother and sister Vindicators stood strong, she wouldn't trade her current life as a teacher, wife, and mother for anything. A gentle sigh escaped her at the thought of the horses that she left behind, feeling the weight of guilt on her shoulders as her brown eyes looked upward toward the skylights that spotted the cavern's ceiling. 'Argus, please protect them and keep them safe. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to any of them because of me.'
With a deep breathe, the Outsider continued through the crowd, her thoughts swimming with visions of the past as she meandered toward the market.
Word Count: 382 | Post #1
Tagging: songsofinfinity
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Post by songsofinfinity on Mar 25, 2017 11:24:53 GMT -6
ITHRAN Vagabond | Vindicator
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."Ithran walked slowly through the market of Nariah, taking in the sights and sounds he hadn't seen since he was a teenager. He was wearing his saddlebags for once, and Cinder was curled up in his pouch. It had been a long and stressful few months, and he was more than ready to take a break. He'd insisted on taking a short vacation. Dinah hadn't stood in his way, so he'd decided to head down into the caves of Sirith, something he'd wanted to do for some time now.
He'd always thought there was something special about the people of Sirith. Perhaps it was their open love of art, or perhaps just the fact that they didn't ask too many questions if you claimed to be a traveling Bard. Either way, taking a tour of their great city had seemed a nice way to relax and take his mind off the struggles of the Vindicators.
The market seemed crowded today, filled with the bustle of voices and the quiet clatter of hooves on stone. Ithran wove through the crowd, feeling huge. The streets, while large and roomy, hadn't been built with an eighteen hand stallion in mind. In fact, the whole situation was strange compared to his ordinary life. As a Vindicator he spent most of his time under the open sky, by himself or with a few others. The crowd had him nervous, on edge, and slightly claustrophobic.
He bought some fruit from a vendor nearby and decided to settle into a corner to people-watch while he ate. The horses that walked past tended to be small, and he saw many more striped horses than he'd met in most other places. There was also a notable lack of winged horses, which wasn't surprising considering...
He caught a flash of wing feathers through the crowd and shifted to get a better look. Why would a pegasus want to live down here? The wings - he couldn't see much else through the crowd - were a dark red, and... something clicked in his memory and he froze for an instant before stuffing the remaining fruit into his bag and shoving his way through the crowd.
"Little Bird! Little Bird, it's me!" He'd known she'd moved to Nariah but he'd never expected to run into her. She was a more than welcome sight, though, and, he suspected, timely as well.
Word Count: 423
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Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Mar 25, 2017 12:08:02 GMT -6
Little Bird | Breim | Outsider
Little Bird walked through the crowds in the market. The whispers and stares of the equines around her as they gawked at her wings used to be odd, but after weeks of the same ritual, she had become used to it. The horses of Breim believed pegasi to be a marvelous wonder, and it had granted her much more acceptance than other horses have received in the past when she joined the rather cautious, reclusive herd. The reason behind their stares was still unknown by her, but if she were to guess, it may have to deal with the rarity of winged equine in the tunnels and away from the open sky where they can stretch their wings.
The strawberry roan mare stopped at a food vendor and purchased a small bag of chocolate-covered pretzels to enjoy during her little shopping adventure. As she popped one of the little treats into her mouth, she heard someone shout behind her, something uncommon to hear in the usual quiet of the streets. What made it even more unusual, however, was the horse was shouting her name. There were very few Breimians who talked with Outsiders, even ones with wings like herself, so to say she was shocked to hear someone calling her was an understatement.
She turned around with a quizzical, curious expression, her brown eyes searching the crowd to see the horse who was coming toward her. It was a dark brown stallion with unmistakable brindle markings. Little Bird's eyes widened, and she nearly dropped her bag of pretzels as she recognized the stallion. "Ithran? Is that really you?"
Excitement and shock swept through her as she met him halfway, a bright smile painting her face. As she stopped in front of him, she pushed back her cloak's hood to reveal more of her face and the sparkling circlet that kept her curly hair out of her face. "What are you doing down here? I mean, I never expected to see you or anyone else ever again. It's a relief to see that you're doing well." She said, careful not to mention the word Vindicator. The Breimians were accepting of peaceful Bards, but they wouldn't take kindly to a Vindicator walking among them.
Her gaze swept across the horses still watching them with suspicion, but a grin still remained on her face as she returned her attention to Ithran. "Why don't we find some place more private that we can catch up? I know of a nice, little cafe that serves the best cup of tea you could imagine."
Word Count: 428 | Post #2
Tagging: songsofinfinity |
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Post by songsofinfinity on Mar 25, 2017 20:09:30 GMT -6
ITHRAN Vagabond | Vindicator
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."He hadn't expected to be so happy to see her. When she'd left he'd been understanding; happy for her, even. Nevertheless, he'd missed her.
He smiled at her incredulity as she reached him. It did feel a little strange to be running into her down here, so far from the places they'd worked before. "Yes, it's really me. It feels as if it's been a really long time, it's so good to see you!"
She wore a blue cloak and a circlet on her forehead, the accessories making her seem far more settled than she had as a Vindicator. "What are you doing down here?" She asked. "I mean, I never expected to see you or anyone else ever again. It's a relief to see that you're doing well."
Her care to avoid mentioning the Vindicators brought him back to himself and he paused for a second to collect his thoughts. "I'm taking a short break from my work. It's been... busy these past few months, and I thought I could benefit from some traveling."
Her next suggestion, that they talk someplace not so crowded, was a welcome one. They couldn't exactly talk about their work out here in the open, not with Briem's attitude towards 'outsiders' and the general tension. Who knew who might be listening? And besides, a cup of tea sounded lovely right about now. He smiled and nodded. "That's a perfect idea. Lead the way!"
Word Count: 266
OOC: how do I tag people? cx
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Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Mar 29, 2017 12:12:06 GMT -6
Little Bird | Breim | Outsider
It was an incredible coincidence that she ran into one of the Vindicators that she used to work alongside with and one that she considered herself close to. She had left soon after the raids they had performed on Aodh to free the slaves that suffer there and after the Cultist attack where her life had nearly been taken by a deranged, bloodthirsty mare. That had been when she had decided the possibility of a life with the love of her life was more important that all of this. Dionysus had been there for her for years even after she had crushed his heart time and time again as she left without a word of where she was going or when she would return. Risking her life became more difficult with each departure, and she had found herself wishing to give Diony the love and attention that he truly deserved. While she had been certain and happy with her decision to leave, she couldn't help but worry for her comrades that she had left behind. Their mission was a dangerous one, and Little Bird often had nightmares of the demise of the Vindicators.
Her attention was brought back to the present as Ithran answered her question, and a small smile appeared on her muzzle. "Well, I'm sure that you certainly deserve a little vacation." Little Bird chuckled softly, knowing very well how 'busy' his job could be.
With a gentle nod of her head, she turned to head down a narrow street that took them away from the busy marketplace. Her hooves clicked lightly on the stone ground, and the light of the glowing lanterns and crystals around them lit the way. They soon arrived at a small shop whose windows were lit with small, orb-shaped lanterns, and as Little Bird opened the door for them, they were greeted with the light chime of a bell to alert the staff customers had arrived.
The space inside was small but relatively empty. A couple sat at a table near the front of the restaurant, and Birdie walked past them to sit in a booth toward the back. She slid into one of the seats and offered Ithran a welcoming smile. "I've been worried about how you all are doing since I left. It's nice to see that you're doing okay. How are you and everyone else doing?" Little Bird asked, curiosity winning over her polite silence.
Word Count: 405 | Post #3
Tagging: @songsofinfinity
OOC: Tag people by putting @/username without the /
<3
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Post by songsofinfinity on Mar 31, 2017 14:43:29 GMT -6
ITHRAN Vagabond | Vindicator
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."
Ithran followed Little Bird down the narrow side street, taking care not to bump into any of the other pedestrians sharing the road. The city seemed so quiet, so peaceful, especially here away from the bustle of the market.
The shop Little Bird led him to was small, set close against the wall of the cavern, and it was well-lit. It seemed comfortable, even cozy.
Little Bird walked into the shop, but Ithran paused for a moment in the street outside. It felt strange and almost uncomfortable, as if he was standing in another world far removed from the Vindicators' troubles. The glow of the lanternlight and the soft hum of the crowd in the market several blocks away completed the scene.
He shook himself to dispel the feeling and walked inside.
The shop was nearly empty and a quick glance assured him that the couple at one of the tables wouldn't bother them. He sat down opposite Little Bird in the booth she chose, glancing over his shoulder out of habit.
When she spoke, he didn't hear her at first. "I've been worried about how you all are doing since I left. It's nice to see that you're doing okay. How are you and everyone else doing?"
"What? Oh, right. We're... well, we're doing as well as could be expected, I think. We took a serious blow in that Cultist attack, but our numbers are growing again. I recruited some Vagabonds myself recently, some hedgewitches and a mercenary.
"Dinah's doing pretty well, as is Freya. We're all a little worse for wear but that's to be expected with the way things are going, especially with the situation in Aodh. In general, though, I think they're optimistic."He sighed, undoing the strap of Cinder's bag as the squirrel started squeaking. "As for me... uh..." He paused, searching for words as Cinder scrambled out of the pouch and onto the floor. Ithran gave him a stern look and the squirrel climbed back up to perch on his withers, chittering softly. "I'm doing well, I suppose. It's just... the last few months have had me thinking about a lot of different things, and I..." He stopped, unsure of what he was trying to say. "Well, I started to feel like I really needed a vacation. You said the tea here is good?"
Word Count: 416
Tagging: @blueunicornj213 |
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Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Apr 9, 2017 12:03:11 GMT -6
Little Bird | Breim | Outsider
Her ears swiveled forward and an intrigued expression crossed her face as the stallion spoke, telling her briefly about how everything was going and how everyone was. A breath of relief rushed out of her at the mention of her good friend, Freya, as well as the Vindicator leader, Dinah. They were all doing well... at least considering the circumstances that they were in and that was enough to ease Little Bird's mind. As long as they were healthy and fighting-fit, she knew that they could overcome whatever got in their way. "That's great to hear that they're doing okay," she started, picking up a small menu that sat on the table near the wall before continuing, "And I'm sure you'll teach those new recruits well. They'll be much needed in the future." The pegasus mare offered him an encouraging smile before tuning into his next statement.
"Well, I started to feel like I really needed a vacation. You said the tea here is good?"
Little Bird knew all too well what he meant. That was a small part of why she had made her decision to leave the profession she had known her entire life. She had been ready to open a new chapter in her life and to right the many wrongs that she had done to the horse that she loved. She had wanted to become the wife that he deserved and a mother, so she had made the decision to hang up her cape and follow her dream. "The tea is very good, especially the raspberry and lemon tea if you like really sweet drinks."
The Outsider mare took a breath before opening her mouth to speak again. "Ithran, I know very well how dangerous and tiring your job is. Don't be afraid to take a little time for yourself. You certainly deserve it." She offered him a smile as a waiter approached their table and asked for their order. Little Bird hummed thoughtfully for a moment before responding. "I'll have a cup of raspberry and lemon tea, and could we have mochi pastries for two?" She asked, feeling her stomach rumble at the thought of the delicious rice cakes.
Word Count: 468 | Post #4
Tagging: @songsofinfinity
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Post by songsofinfinity on Apr 17, 2017 12:37:50 GMT -6
ITHRAN Vagabond | Vindicator
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."
"Don't be afraid to take a little time for yourself. You certainly deserve it."
He smiled as Little Bird said that and wondered if she knew how close to home she'd hit? "Thanks. I think I needed to hear that. And yes, something sweet sounds perfect." Part of him wanted to keep talking about the Vindicator's troubles, but he didn't want to burden her with that. "Enough about me. How have you been? How's Dionysus? I'd heard some rumors of trouble down here, but everyone seems to be doing fairly well, though they're suspicious of me. I remember that from the last time I was here, though, so I can't tell if anything much has changed."
The waiter brought back a tray, carefully balanced, with two cups, a steaming teapot, and two small cakes on little plates, setting it on the table between them. "If you want your tea strong, I'd give it another minute or two before you pour it."
Ithran nodded and thanked him, and, as the waiter left, he moved one of the plates in front of Little Bird and took one for himself. He wasn't terribly hungry at the moment, but the cake smelled lovely, especially combined with the scent of the tea wafting up and combining with the strong herbal scent of the shop. It was such a quiet, relaxing place, so far removed from the wilds or even the noisy towns aboveground.
Carefully he poured a cup of tea before offering it Little Bird. "Do you want to wait? I can pour it now if you want."
word count: 310
OOC: idk if Ithran would know Diony's name, so I assumed he did. I hope that's okay c:
tagging: BlueUnicornJ13
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Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Apr 17, 2017 15:38:19 GMT -6
Little Bird | Breim | Outsider
She hoped that he wouldn't burden himself with the thoughts of his responsibilities and workload while he was trying to enjoy himself down here in Nariah, but as a former Vindicator, Little Bird knew all too well how that occupation seemed to follow you around no matter how hard you tried to get away from it. A smile painted itself across her face at his gratitude, and she dipped her head slightly as she muttered, "I'm glad I was able to hopefully help a little. I can't help but think about how I felt during the later parts of my career. It was... troubling and tiresome at times even despite how rewarding it could be." Little Bird could talk about the subject forever, but she stopped herself, not wanting to trouble her friend with her opinions.
Her ears twitched in response to his curious questions about how everything had been going for her, and Little Bird couldn't hide the pleasant, content smile that fell on her muzzle at the thought of how blessed her life had been. "Everything has been going great. Thank you for asking. Dio and I finally got married after dating for years, and we adopted our first child not long after that. She's a little filly by the name of Rosario. Dio has been doing well despite how busy with work he is, but he seems happier. I've been helping him teach the little children that come to the library as well as act as a consult for anyone wanting to know about the world outside of these tunnels." The pegasus mare chimed happily, hoping that Ithran wouldn't be bothered by her excited babbling. "As for the trouble... the very day I returned here, Aodh happened to have paid a visit. Their king thought it would be a grand idea to bring dragons down here for some sort of show I'm sure, and they ended up getting loose and burned down part of Nariah in the process." She paused for a moment, remembering the smell of smoke rising out of the cavern's skylights and the panic she had felt as she searched the burning streets for her family. It had certainly been a terrible, traumatic experience for the citizens of Breim, and it had left them even more aware of strangers in their midst. "Everyone has been even more on edge lately because of what happened."
Her brown eyes lifted up to see the waiter bring back a tray with cups for tea, a pot of hot water, and the cakes that she had offered for them. As he set the tray down on the table, Little Bird offered him a respectful dip of her head. "Thank you very much, sir." The mare responded before the waiter walked back to the back part of the small cafe.
Little Bird's attention returned to the food and drinks in front of her as Ithran handed her a plate and a cup for tea. She thanked him and took a deep breath of the warm, pleasant aroma wafting off of the delightful looking dessert. Little places like this with their homey feeling and relaxing atmospheres were something she couldn't grow tired of.
"That would be perfect if you could pour it now. I probably shouldn't be drinking anything too caffeinated." She admitted as he asked if she wanted her tea now or later. Realizing what she had said, she gave him a small, sheepish smile. "Well, now that my loose lips kind of gave the hint away, there's another new thing about me. I'm expecting a baby soon." Her voice grew uncharacteristically coy, and her brown eyes flickered to her empty cup of tea before returning back to Ithran.
Word Count: 620 | Post #5
Tagging: songsofinfinity |
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Post by songsofinfinity on Jul 2, 2017 17:29:06 GMT -6
ITHRAN Vagabond | Vindicator
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."
Listening to Little Bird talking about her life with her husband and daughter, Ithran felt a small spark of... not jealousy. Curiosity? Longing? He'd never known a life as ordinary as hers, and he found that he envied it. Everything about this world was strange to him. The peaceful murmur of conversation, the fine tea and cake, the complete safety from attack, were totally alien to him. He'd spent the last few months out in the wilds with other struggling horses, Vindicators and those under their protection. Was this what the Vindicators were defending?
Looking at Little Bird, how happy she was, the animated way she talked about her life here, he began to understand it. This life wasn't soft, it wasn't weak, it wasn't lacking in substance. It was normal. A home, a family, friends. Most Vindicators had one or two of the three, but rarely more. Perhaps he had lost sight of what he was fighting for. And if he left the Vindicators, what then? Could the Cultists cause real harm here in Nariah without the Vindicators? Probably not. At least, not the way things stood now. And Aodh's arm did not reach this far, not yet.
Still, Little Bird and her family represented what he was fighting for. Every horse had a right to these things. A peaceful life, a family. Out in the wilds it was nearly impossible to have those things. If the Vindicators could hold on, if they could keep up the fight, perhaps someday even Vagabonds could have lives like this. Not in the cities, necessarily, but with a feeling of security.
It hit him, all of a sudden, the feeling that had been growing as he'd listened. He understood now, in a way he hadn't before, why he was fighting. He wanted to build a world where horses could live in peace, live without threat of attack. As a Vindicator he could do that. He could give horses what Little Bird had. He could give foals security, a childhood he'd already lost. He started smiling, slowly. It felt like his first real, genuine smile in months.
And nearly spit out his tea. "Congratulations! Little Bird, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you and Dionysus." Little Bird looked oddly shy about the revelation, and he almost laughed. "Really, Little Bird, that's the best news I've heard in months. Is your daughter excited? I assume Dionysus is, of course." And he really did laugh this time.
word count: 458
OOC: I am SO SORRY this is so late. I thought I'd replied forever ago x.x
tagging: BlueUnicornJ13
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Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Sept 29, 2017 9:38:29 GMT -6
Little Bird | Breim | Outsider
Seeing her friend and brother-in-arms from her time as a Vindicator brought back memories of how hard life had been just a couple of months ago when she had been out there with them, fighting for their lives and protecting those who could not protect themselves. In a small portion of her mind, she missed that part of herself that she had let slip behind her now mundane life. There was no need to fight or practice hoof-to-hoof combat which had been so important to her survival for so long. Living among the peaceful, underground community still felt odd to her, and her new Breimian rank felt very fitting at times, an Outsider. At times, she felt like she was living on the outskirts of things, watching civilian life from a distance while her mind was still in the woods in the midst of danger with the rest of the Vindicators. Little Bird let these thoughts settle in the back of her mind where she often pushed them when they arose. She wouldn't hide her past, and she wasn't ashamed of it, but she had hung up her cape voluntarily. Now, she was a mother, a wife, and protector of her growing family, and she had developed a sense of peace and purpose that she never thought she would have. She could only hope that one day horses like Ithran would be able to have the same chance to have a piece of normalcy and comfort.
Little Bird chuckled softly as Ithran nearly choked on his coffee at her confession. "Thank you, Ithran." She said with a warm smile. Having children had been something she had never thought of herself being able to do, and now that she was growing closer and closer to having her and Diony's first-born child, she was beginning to feel tinge of nervousness along with the overwhelming feeling of excitement and joy. "Rosie is extremely excited to have a younger sibling and is praying that she gets a little sister to play with, and Dio and I couldn't be more happy and excited and a little frantic trying to get things ready for a newborn." The pegasus mare chuckled, remembering the shocked looked on her mate's face when she had told him the news. They'd been spending every extra moment they had getting things ready, from getting another bed to buying some new toys and supplies they thought they might need. Arges, one of Dio's students that lived with them, often said they were crazy and paranoid, and most of the time, Little Bird agreed.
"Enough about me though. What have you been doing these past few months? I'm sure training new recruits has taken up a lot of your time." She said as she took a sip of the hot, sweet tea.
Word Count: 468 | Post #6
Tagging: songsofinfinity
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