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Post by Dream-Lark on Jul 8, 2017 14:22:39 GMT -6
Featuring Water Gatherer Ila & Sage Rycaron
Set between Chapters 3 & 4
Whether it’s been a long day or simply a bad one, your character looks like they could use some company! Approaching them, Ila strikes up a conversation and asks if they would like to get any tea with her to help them wind down. Do they accept?
The goldfish hippocampus stood at the edge of the cliff, staring off at the horizon. It was late afternoon, the temperature slowly lowering, and the Talori Sage had decided to venture out into Osulas once more, this time to see if he could find a drink--preferably a decent ale. He'd found no such thing so far, but perhaps that was just as well. One drink wouldn't cloud his mind much, but he could truly use the calming effect it had. Aqua eyes gazed off into the distance, where he could swear he saw the far off sea. He felt hot, a dislike of the dry air stirring within him. He felt dried out, worn out...emptied out. He was still dealing with the news of Thaumas' death, hadn't really given himself the chance to mourn his roan brother, and he had no idea how anyone else fared. Eve, Corrine, Cherub, all the people he was responsible for. Rycaron felt like he was simply standing still, accomplishing nothing. And yet being alive was doing something, he tried to tell himself, reassure himself. It meant they could keep trying to move forward and save their people. A sigh expanded chest before being dispelled, the thought of that cold ale filtering into his mind once more. Perhaps he shouldn't give up on that search just yet, Ry decided, features solemn. Post 1 WC//227 |
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Post by fallenraen on Jul 8, 2017 20:35:30 GMT -6
[ Ila ]
It’d been a rather successful day out on the job. With the return of the rains, diving and seeking out precious valuables under the water had become easier. A breeze. The worn saddlebag that was strapped securely around herself weighed quite a bit, so the pegasus had taken her time returning to the city to save both energy and to make sure nothing she had managed to collect got damaged should she fly recklessly and her bag slip.
She’d skipped out on the worst of the temperatures, spending as much time as she could under the water’s surface, and returning home late in the afternoon? The cooler breezes up where she flew carried her, brushed against her feathers and coat. She closed her eyes, enjoying herself, when she noticed a lone figure the closer she came to the city and had opened her eyes again. What were they doing? Curiosity had her lower, eventually landing upon the cliff itself that she trotted a couple paces along so that she didn’t stumble and she could close her wings as she got a better look at the stranger there (that was clearly not pegasi).
A hippocampus instead was what they were, the Sage himself who had come from Talori. Surprise had her eyes flutter before warmth climbed up into her cheeks, Ila clearing her throat softly. “Excuse my intrusion, sir,” the words fell from her mouth, her head dipping respectfully to the older figure in front of herself. “I didn’t know if you needed any assistance.” No one really climbed their way up to the cliffs. There were many stairs in the city, stairs she felt bad that those not born with wings had to take.
Did he need anyone to accompany him back down? Maybe he did need some help, she thought, as she peeked up at him from under her eyelashes before she drew herself up. Her wings shifted awkwardly, her gaze drifting to that of the view he’d been looking out towards. It was beautiful, she had to admit.
“... may I ask why you’re here alone?” she questioned, stealing a glance to him. It was not every day she was before the Talorian refugees. If she was honest, she was a little shy. They’d come from across the ocean and were all, aside from the traitor to both of their herds that made her uneasy to discuss as she was Kristofer’s own sister, of prestigious ranks. She, in comparison, was a simple gatherer. What could she possibly have to offer other than being an escort? She flicked her tail, pushing the thoughts suddenly away.
No, they were of all equal standing. They were all horses, were they not? They all had something to offer that would aid one another regardless of where they stood in social rank. Right then and there, she was simply near someone she should respect as her (technical) elder. That was all. “Is everything alright?” she continued, not meaning to press, though. She was merely wondering, her ears angled forward as she looked to him.
Post count: #1 | Word count: 510
OOC: I'm sorry if this is a bit much haha ♡ I might have gotten carried away, but don't feel pressured to write too much! |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jul 13, 2017 13:39:11 GMT -6
The stallion blinked as he caught movement, not thinking much of it at first, since the skies around Osulas seemed to constantly be teeming with birds and pegasi flying here and there. Except...it seemed the figure was coming closer, and a second glance showed the figure lowering and angling toward where he was standing. Moments later the pegasus was landing, a smooth transition from glide to trot to walk. This seemed impressive considering the weight she seemed to be carrying; the saddlebags strapped onto her back looked to be quite heavy, from what he could tell. He regarded the younger mare with a solemn curiosity as she approached, remaining silent so that she might speak first.
"It is alright, you are not really intruding, and I suppose I do look a little lost staring off into space up here," Rycaron replied, allowing a hint of amusement to color his voice, as he turned his head to dip into a shallow but polite greeting in return. Aqua eyes studied the pegasi subtly, but he could only determine that she seemed quite sincere and friendly, shy and maybe awkward or unsure. Before he could even really formulate the rest of his reply to her inquiry, she had another upon her lips, and then a heartbeat later yet another. A curious one, this one was.
"I am here alone because others are busy, and I did not wish to bother them. Not when I needed to be alone, but that is alright," the Sage added, glancing to his companion, the last added so that he didn't offend her, or make her think she needed to leave. Tail flicked gently, as he turned thoughts inward for a moment. No, he was not comfortable in current company, but he was also determined never to make a scene in this land. After all, one couldn't throw a rock around Osulas without hitting a pegasi.
"I..." the hippocampus began, for a moment not sure what his answer should be. His first impulse was to say that he was fine, bury everything he felt and push this pegasus away. He didn't need to explain himself or share his feelings to someone who had made a grievous mistake in their past life, to end up with wings. And yet...that was in Cascade's realm, and here Alya held sway. He had to remember that. He was not home--not that that idea needed much of a reminder, all he had to do was open his eyes, or feel the air.
"I am not, no," Rycaron finally admitted, voice dropping an octave and the pain and sorrow he held flashing before his eyes, curving lips downward, before he brought up his amiable but solemn mask once more. This young mare was sincere and friendly, he knew it because he was a good judge of character, adept at reading other equines. He wouldn't confide too much in her, but admitting to his feelings was not a bad thing. He felt like he couldn't burden the herdmates who had fled her with him with it all, they already had so much to deal with, especially Hawkeye.
Post 2
WC//524
OOC: Noooo, it's glorious and I love it, and always encourages me to expand and write more <3
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Post by fallenraen on Jul 13, 2017 21:05:42 GMT -6
[ Ila ]
‘You are not really intruding,’ they had reassured, the words making Ila relax ever so slightly. She seemed glad that she wasn’t intruding upon their peace and quiet, a small polite smile tilting up the corner of her mouth before she had listened to their next words. A little lost staring off into space on top of a cliff was one way to word it. Still, she had to admit it was a rather nice place to stand and watch the clouds move by. The distant shimmer of the ocean sparkled, holding her gaze for a moment while she had awaited his replies to all of her questions. She hadn’t meant to ask so many, though she did not stumble over apologies trying to make up for them.
He, in time, answered them. “I see,” she thought aloud, her words soft as she looked over at the horizon rather than the Sage. That did make sense: give others space while they were busy. Surely everyone had much on their plates with making plans how to help their own country and eventually return to it. He must have as well to needed to be alone on top of allowing others to be with their own thoughts and not disturb them. Again, he assured her that it was fine that he wasn’t then as alone as he had been moments before her arrival. Another smile crossed her face, caught somewhere between apologetic and sheepish. She still hadn’t meant to interrupt his thoughts.
Perhaps, however, it might have been a good thing she had. When he trailed off in reply to her question of if everything was alright, her ears pricked and she cast him a side glance. It was no good to dwell too long on one’s own, consumed by thoughts. She was the same way, she figured. Looking at him and seeing herself, hesitating when asked the same question and wanting to say that she and everything was fine despite the world feeling as if it were crumbling down. She had the habit of putting others before herself, not wanting to worry them with her own grief.
‘I am not, no,’ he confessed, the hint of a frown on their face that had the corners of Ila’s own mouth turn down. Was it sympathy that tugged at her heart? Pity? The Talorians who sought refuge in Sedo had lost their homes, their friends. Their families. That hit home to her more than anything, knowing personally what it was like to never see someone she loved again when one moment they had been on Hireath and then the next likely not. Who had he lost?
An ear flicked to the side while she wondered before she softly cleared her throat, attempting for a smile to shoo away sad thoughts. There would be no frowning there if she could help it. “Would you perhaps like to join me for a cup of tea then? I know of a nice little shop close by; it might do wonders to ease your mind. I mean - if you don’t think that too forward of me anyways,” she added, a laugh touched with nerves escaping as she shifted her wings and looked back away. How awkward. “I would hate to drag you anywhere you didn’t want to go or bother you too much.”
She probably seemed like an annoying kid, yet she did want to help. He didn’t have to confide in a stranger such as herself of his problems when all she wanted to do was offer him a chance to relax. Tea never hurt anyone.
Post #2 | Word count: 600 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Aug 18, 2017 19:05:35 GMT -6
Sharp eyes caught the faint frown tugging at the mare's lips, and his talents at reading others supplied that she might be feeling pity, or sympathy. Neither was something that he needed from a pegasus, and yet at the same time...to have his hardships acknowledged by another was also relieving in a way. There were always those who had it worse than he, but that didn't mean that his own experiences were invalidated, his own feelings wrong.
His gaze had wandered back out toward the horizon, before the gentle throat clearing returned it to the mare, and her admirable attempt at a smile. Join her for tea? The surprise he felt registered only slightly over his diplomatic mask, while internally there was a sense of recoil he could never allow to show on the surface. At the nervous laugh, the stallion pulled forth a smile, dipping his head gently in a nod.
"I think that would be alright, and I had been thinking about a drink earlier, actually," Rycaron replied easily, keeping his thoughts from becoming words or making it into his tone. He would much prefer something alcoholic, but never would he allow himself to become tipsy about the pegasi. But if this tea shop happened to be somewhere he could pick something up and take it back to his current dwelling...
Plus, he truly did need to learn these people a bit better. It would only help the Talorian's case if he had better bargaining tools, and the Serorans had a glimpse of what they could truly be like--not the rogues the tropical equines were always taken for. If that meant he had to play nice and take tea with this sinner...he could do that. And part of him, the part that truly did long for some company and the sense of a friend, was quite pleased at her invitation. It probably would do his mind good at the same time as helping his herd.
"I am Rycaron, though I am guessing you knew that. However, I do not know your name, Miss...?" the Sage inquired politely, tilting his head. Up to this point, she had not introduced herself, and Ry was so ingrained with his herd's customs, it never occurred to him he might need to introduce himself first. That was a lower ranking equine's prerogative. But yet again, he was not home, and this young mare had seemed more focused on trying to make him feel better than on remembering manners. It was quite a forgivable thing.
Post 3 | WC 423
OOC: Aaaah, sorry this is so late. I was without webs for about a month :c
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Post by fallenraen on Aug 21, 2017 22:18:53 GMT -6
Ila It, as to what Ila had been feeling, was probably indeed sympathy. She truly felt sorry for the Talorians, chased from their home seemingly by invaders and forced to seek refuge in a place unfamiliar to them. While her family and herself, as well as many others in the herd, were perfectly suited for the desert and its heat, she could understand that they were likely not. The desert could be hard, tough. It might do him well to have a drink for hydration purposes, as he was a hippocampi especially and she wondered if he had been keeping hydrated while up on the cliff of all places in the city, plus to soothe whatever turmoil boiled in his mind.
“I admittedly knew of your position, Rycaron, as the Sage to your herd, though not your name… I don’t really gossip I guess I could say. I only hear some of what others passing by do,” the mare confessed after she had smiled at him to his acceptance of her invitation, more than happy to aid the older gentleman in any way that she could. “It’s truly a pleasure to meet you, however. I’m Ila,” she introduced her own self, dipping her head with the respect that she reminded herself she should show to him at the prickle that went up her spine when she wondered if she was being rude in any way. Their customs likely varied slightly (or a lot), that much she could guess. It also happened to be how Ila began conversations.
She started with how the weather was or general small talk before offering her name once she got to know them a little bit more, got comfortable in their presence, giving to them something more personal about herself other than what he had learned so far. She drank tea, didn’t often gossip (if she could help it), and she probably seemed as if she offered anyone and everyone a chance to take their mind off of troubling matters in their mind. All of those true as Ila had a habit to worry more for others than herself. That and drinking tea. She did love tea, and sharing it with others was something nice to do. It gave her the chance to learn more about them and open herself up, something not very difficult for her to do in the first place.
She was an outgoing soul, something she thought she could see in the diplomat before her as he likely had to speak with many horses on a daily business unless an introvertedness within him called him away at the end of the day to recharge alone curled up somewhere. The way he spoke, how he carefully guarded his face. He was a book that she was curious of, though she wouldn’t dare to try and pry into his life. His business was his alone, and she could respect that just as much as she could respect his higher position in his society (whatever a Sage was besides maybe an advisor to his emperor was another assumption on her part) than she was in hers (as not many Serorans she knew of ever thought of the other as below them). “Would you like to be on our way then?” she questioned, all her thoughts put aside and her head lifted as she gestured to the stairs with a sweep of one of her wings she ended up folding back against her side.
While she was nervous, afraid she might mess up or say something wrong before an important figure to another herd, she couldn’t deny in saying that she wasn't happy to have accidentally interrupted him. It would be, hopefully, enjoyable to have some tea and a small chat if he lingered around. If not, well, she couldn’t say she’d be exactly upset in his decision. If all he needed was tea, something to drink, rather than company, she couldn’t say she’d blame him with all that he had on his mind. What burdens he must have had to to carry upon his shoulders, the worries for his people back at home, the girl couldn’t imagine.
Post count: #3 | Word count: 692
OOC: No worries! ♡ I understood that, and I believe I saw somewhere in chat that you had a baby? I hope both they and yourself are doing well! c':
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Post by Dream-Lark on Sept 15, 2017 14:58:54 GMT -6
"Ah, forgive my assumption then, Ila. I am so used to being one of the subjects of gossip, I did not think there was anyone who had not heard about the Talori scoundrels seeking refuge in your home," Ry remarked, a bit of a self deprecating grin playing about his features at finding he had assumed wrong. How low of him, and yet he was easily picked out in the crowds and identifiable with his bright coloring, fins, and bedecked in pearls when he wasn't wearing his more formal outfit. Still he was overall fairly amused at the way most of the Serorans greeted him, expecting to find a rogue instead of a stately, cultured official. Once he had been tempted to play the part, but he had been unable to go through with it. He simply couldn't bring himself down the cursing, lewd, swindling behavior expected of a rogue.
Gaze lingered upon the pegasi, nodding his head slightly in agreement when she gestured toward the stairs. "Indeed, I would. I will admit I have no yet had the opportunity to try the local teas, I was more concerned with other matters and finding plenty of water when we first arrived," the Sage commented, as he turned and stepped lightly toward the stairs, beginning the descent. "In Aodh, they were more focused upon liqueurs and their special wine than tea and juice," he commented, sharing the little fact from his time stationed in the other herd. Even though there was word of war carried on the wind, he didn't think the fact would be in bad taste. At least, he hoped his companion would not take it as such, now that it had been said.
Post 4 | WC 285
OOC: Gah, sorry this is so short after such a lovely post from you :') I do! And we are, though he's been pretty cranky. I think the poor thing is starting to teeth :')
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Post by fallenraen on Sept 17, 2017 2:24:28 GMT -6
Ila
Talori scoundrels? Ah, right, she thought to herself with a little switch of one of her curled ears. For many years her herd had assumed the Talorians to be devilish rogues, handsome however troublesome they could be. The most unsettling thing perhaps of them, besides maybe a few of those at their ports that seemed a bit more… rough and tumble or unafraid to shed some blood if it ever came to so, were the looks. Upon her back, judging the feathers that both others and herself wore. They fluffed up a little at the thought before she offered the Sage before her a smile, one side of it tipping up on more side than the other.
“There is nothing to forgive,” she told him, bowing her head, “Your people, from what I have indeed managed to hear, are lovely compared to our former beliefs. I personally don’t know much of any of you is all, and I hope you forgive me for that. I’m… not use to meeting those of such high standings from other herds. Your ways and our ways are very different.” Truly. Had she offended him yet in anything she’d done or said? She had to wonder as she took a step forward to follow the stallion down the stairs he took, more mindful of where she placed her hooves than usual.
While the girl wasn’t clumsy, not that she could recall, it would be mortifying no doubt if she accidentally slipped and sent the both of them tumbling down the flight to the next landing. “Well,” she began, finding another smile coming to her face despite his words of being concerned with other matters and of finding water (no doubt their voyage had been long and difficult without fresh provisions and then to be in the desert), “I do hope what tea we have is to your liking.” Aodh? The name caught her attention, her ears pricking briefly. She knew next to nothing of his position in his herd, but if he’d been to Aodh himself… Maybe he’d been an ambassador.
What would it have been like? While curiosity wanted to draw questions of the subject out, of his time there and what sights he’d seen, something still twisted in her gut at the mention of them. “I see. Was their… wine and other such drinks as fine as the ones you might have in your own country?” she asked, careful of where she went with her words. She didn’t want to come off as rude. “I have to admit I drink more tea than any alcohol, but I’ve heard of your own teas. I’m sure they taste lovely.”
Post count: #4 | Word count: 444
OOC: Oh it's no problem at all! ♡ I'm really glad to know that both of you are doing okay! c: Hopefully the crankiness for your baby boy passes soon
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Post by Dream-Lark on Sept 17, 2017 15:02:09 GMT -6
"We do tend to be far more cultured than the rogues you are used too," the Sage agreed, though he left that as the last word for that part of the subject. He was not going to delve into Talorian traditions and habits, for he wanted to keep the shroud of secrecy as much as possible. Indeed, since it was only higher ranking equines who had sought refuge here, rumors could well turn into that being the case for an upper class...although that was more likely with somewhere like Aodh. Serorans didn't really have classes, Rycaron was finding out, or truly anything resembling higher ranks. Everyone appeared nearly equal, and it was quite odd, to say the least.
"Of course, my dear, for it is the same with me," Rycaron explained, his tone amiable, and like an uncle speaking to a niece, holding nothing of a condescending or flirtatious manner that some would associated with the words he had used. "No, no they were not, for wine is found in Aodh only except for trade. We have ale and beer, but nothing like the fruit liqueurs they had managed to produce. They were far too indulgent and strong for my liking, the tastes cloying." Disapproval crept into his tone as he remarked upon the beverages, and he shook his head ever so slightly, though his companion might not be able to see it. It was also easier to converse cordially with Ila like this, unable to really see her feathers. Although at the same time, having her near his back sent an icy shiver down his spine he tried to hide. Other than his dealings here in Sedo, his last interaction with pegasi had been the trial of the three terrorists, and before that...the attack in the palace where Eve had been poisoned. It didn't entirely make him comfortable, but he forced himself not to display such things. The Flight was not here, he told himself firmly.
"I am sure the tea will be good, and I have heard there is an abundance of agave sugar here, and I admit I am eager to pair it with the native tea." He wouldn't have made ambassador those years ago if he hadn't had a bit of an adventurous soul, willing to try new things and attempt to blend into the culture to learn all that he could. Still, he made sure not to covet, or get into anything the Wave Mother would disapprove of...which had made Aodh quite the challenge.
Post 5 | WC 422
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Post by fallenraen on Sept 19, 2017 23:24:20 GMT -6
Ila
More cultured than the rogues she was used to. She ‘hm’ed softly in reply, looking to the sky they passed under as she thought. How “cultured” were they then? What was considered cultured? Structure in life, differing ranks? The Serora too had ranks, yet everyone was of equal standing. No one got more than the other as they were all brothers and sisters under the same sky. She closed her eyes momentarily before she opened them again, watching where it was that she trotted down the stairs. “It’s nice to both hear and see that you are not all pirates. Not that there is anything wrong with pirates, I guess some could be nice should they want, but I have to be honest in saying I don’t always visit the docks if some ships docked look a little less… welcoming than the others from a distance.”
It was best to avoid trouble than tumble straight into it. There were many ships that passed or docked, not all Talorian she knew, but pirates could be from anywhere. The War-Forged from the north, the Vagabonds that wondered. An ear flicked at the thought before her attention return to Rycaron and she smiled at his words. He truly seemed kind, nothing of a devilish pirate with their charm and songs. No, he seemed much more sophisticated. Were many of Talori like him? The other refugees too? Aside from the children she’d heard about, that was. Children would be children no matter whose parents they were until they began to settle and be taught.
Still, it wasn’t difficult to see him as a uncle to someone. His pet names would be rather cute terms of endearment for them. She laughed quietly to his remarks of Aodh’s drinks, the disapproval in his own voice causing amusement in her own. “Were they that rich or sweet? I’m sorry, Rycaron. The horrors you must have gone through in their supposedly grand city while tasting such wines. I can not imagine.” It was a gentle tease, the corner of her mouth tipping up before she spoke again, “But in all seriousness, it still must have been something to visit such a place. Taste new food, try new drinks - however strong they might have been.”
But her place was there in Sedo, not travelling the world. If they had been standing still, she would have shrugged nonchalantly. She was happiest there in the sands, in the city that overlooked them. “I can’t say that I like either ale or beer. I find beer rather bitter.” Too strong sometimes. The smell alone was enough to turn her away, though she didn’t assume anything of what kind of beer might be made in the Talori herd. Maybe theirs wasn’t so bad.
Her ears pricked to his words, her head nodding despite him likely unable to see. “Yes, we have sugar. Maybe that’s a good reason why I don’t care for much alcohol, especially the bitter kind that burns the back of the throat; the land can give people a sweet tooth,” she joked before softly clearing her throat. “We’ll, uh, be nearing the shop once the stairs… level out to flatter ground,” she informed him, peeking over his form to check where they were before sheepishly smiling. “I apologize there are so many stairs in our city. Sometimes I wish it was easier for others such as yourself, and even my own mother, who lack wings.”
And truly, she was sorry. In a land that had once only held pegasi, according to the ancient stories, it could be a struggle for those without wings that had to climb the stairs daily. It was a shame there was no way to merely teleport there upon wishing so, but she also supposed the view while they had descended was something to admire. Did they have any such sights in his own country? She knew nothing of it except the sea and the jungles the pirates sometimes spoke of, the creatures that lurked in both.
Post count: #5 | Word count: 671
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jan 28, 2018 9:11:26 GMT -6
"That is quite the wise sentiment," the stallion agreed. Staying away from the rogues and less appealing looks ships was something every law abiding equine should do, for many of the rogues were well...rogues. They adhered to no rules but their own warped ones, and those generally revolved around how much profit could be made from something. He would know, having dealt with them on many an occasion with the Emperor and some of the less...savory trades deals they partook in in behalf of bulk of the Talori herd, though they knew nothing about it.
"They were both, depending on the type of fruit," Rycaron replied, allowing the smile tugging at the corners of his lips to show. "And it was quite horrific to reside in such a city of indulgences. Truly though, it is a grand thing to have been able to travel to two different herds and learn of them, despite how the trip here to Sedo came about," voice dropped slightly as flashes of the bombing and those he had lost and may be gone even now without him knowing filtered through his mind.
"That is good news indeed! I admit I am beginning to get rather out breadth even going down," the hippocampus commented, lips curving gently again for a brief moment as he drew a deep breath of air into his lungs. He would be happy when they reached the tea shop, for by now he was becoming quite thirsty as well. He supposed the trek up and down those stairs would be an admirable way to acquire exercise, something he knew he should partake more of. He wanted to be as fit as possible for when they sailed back for Aquore. This tea shop could well prove to be an excellent way to re-hydrate on his trek up and down those steps, if he chose to continue with that plan.
Post 6 | WC 318
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