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Post by Elphora on Aug 15, 2017 22:59:44 GMT -6
Cardinal it will try to change; it will clamor for clarity word count: 520 | reference | im so ready for thissss
In the days that followed that fateful meeting, Cardinal found himself obsessing over the many paths of a future yet to come. He slept poorly, waking late in the midnight hours with his heart drumming so loudly in his chest he feared it might burst - The pounding blood in his ears sounded like war drums, and visions of terrible loss waited always behind his eyelids for any moment of respite. For the most part, Cardinal did what he did best. He researched; He lost himself to his books, holed up in his library as though the old tomes could somehow protect his beloved people from the hardships that awaited them. Self-doubt filled his mind - Had he offered the best advice to Osprey? Had his sentiments helped bind them into an alliance which would bring further harm to the kingdom he had so devoted his life to? Driven by a desperate craving for reassurance or enlightenment, at dawn on the third day the Councillor rose and donned his gear, filling the soft leather saddlebags with little bottles of fresh water and small wrapped offerings of fine herbs and fresh tinctures. The process of preparing for a trip out into the desert calmed the stallion somewhat. Resigning himself to the heat, Cardinal left the taller districts of Osulas and headed out around the canyon. The familiar pathways, worn smooth by the passage of many thousands of hooves, sprawled out toward a distant horizon; Orange clay and soft golden sand muffled the sounds of his solitary passage. The landscape of Sedo was shockingly beautiful. Even to the stallion, who had lived here his whole life, the sight of sunrise bathing their sparse and harsh land was enough to temporarily steal away his breath. It was easy to see the rare splendor of this place; Easy to be reminded of why it was Nicodemus was so drawn to his nomadic lifestyle. Even so, as the temperature began to rise, Cardinal - whose too-long tangled hair did not much aid in this sort of travel - was grateful for the small patches of shadow cast by great arches of stone, carved out as though by the passage of some long-dead river. The shrine was not so large as some of the more gaudy holy locations in Hireath. Nestled into the surrounding desert like a small succulent in bloom, the peaked triangular roofs and bright red-painted panels drew the eye. As he neared, the soft music of many windchimes welcomed the Councillor, the small ringing notes not unlike a strange ethereal rainfall. As he had expected, the shrine seemed mostly deserted - No other civilians had made the journey out this day. The unicorn's warm garnet eyes searched for the golden lady he had come to see, but all seemed still and pensive, as though the little temple still waited to awaken. Taking a deep breath, Cardinal climbed the small stair to the entrance of the shrine. "Hello?" His voice echoed mockingly in the interior of the main chamber, hushed by the thick layer of ancient tapestries that decorated almost every inch of floor. "Lady Mullah, are you in?" |
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Post by silkeye on Aug 16, 2017 19:10:11 GMT -6
NAFISA I've no language left to say it, all i do is crave to her word count: 259 | reference | THIS IS GONNA BE SO BEAUTIFUL➵➵➵ The golden mare's mind was running so wildly for the days after her exit of the council meeting. An alliance between her humble people and the enigmatic Talorians caused knots in her stomach, they were strangers and their intent wasn't solely self preservation or becoming better acquainted with the Serorans, therefore; it could not be trusted. Nights after she prayed and meditated as she had always done however; the Sky Goddess was silent these nights, not even a whisper in the wind-chimes. This is what had been layering on top of her previous anxieties, had she failed her? Had the Goddess seen her display of defiance in the meeting and abandoned her? Nafisa paced in her room this particular morning, she couldn't bare another night of silence and had to inspire herself to set out and find Alya. There was a sudden interruption in her frantic shuffling when she heard the familiar voice of the Councilman Cardinal. However his sudden appearance hadn't frustrated her rather it was a relief, he was wise and kind from what she knew of him so perhaps a companion in prayer would ease some of her angst. Nafisa peered out of the sheer curtains separating her current living space and the meditating room to welcome her guest. Gently stepping out and trying to conceal the obvious restlessness in her tone she welcomed him " Councillor what a welcome surprise, please come in." |
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Post by Elphora on Aug 17, 2017 2:53:33 GMT -6
Cardinal it will try to change; it will clamor for clarity word count: 345 | reference | <3 <3 <3
It took only a moment for a set of sheer silken curtains on the far wall to be pushed aside; Cardinal released the uncertain breath he'd been holding in an exhale of relief as Nafisa's welcoming face peered inquisitively at him from between the folds of fabric. Given gracious welcome, he entered the main chamber of the temple - Hesitant at first, but growing more and more comfortable as familiarity set in. Though he'd only been to this temple once or twice before with a gathering of worshipers, Alya's holy places were always inviting places to those who held her in their hearts. The tapestries and decorations of the interior of the shrine were eclectic and curious, some new enough to hold their shine, and others so ancient that their threads became undone at the corners. In hindsight, the Councillor thought that he should have come here sooner to make his own solitary prayers to the shrine; Nafisa must think him a very unholy man, having never before come to visit her of his own volition! Feeling embarrassed by the thought, Cardinal curled the length of his ivory tail (stained russet and gold in places by the sand and earth) around his hooves like a large horned cat. "Ah, many thanks - it promises to be a hot day out there, and I'd much rather be in the shade. I hope you are well," The pleasantries and smalltalk felt awkward on his tongue, though they were very genuine; She was a well respected holy woman, and though young to be a priestess, seemed to have won the love of many pious devotees. Taking a moment to look more closely at the petite golden mare for the first time since he'd arrived, the Councillor thought perhaps that he could sense some abrupt energy to her movements - Though perhaps his being here had only served to remind her of that fateful meeting and the tension it had brought. "Am I interrupting anything? Please, don't stop on my account," A little curious, Cardinal offered the younger lady a kindly smile. |
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Post by silkeye on Aug 23, 2017 20:12:41 GMT -6
NAFISA I've no language left to say it, all I do is crave to her word count: 229 | reference | sorry it took so long to get back to you ;_;➵➵➵ She shifted her weight in an anxious moment, her face visibly contorting when Cardinal mentioned her previous fidgeting in the other room. She opened her mouth and contemplated a lie, her eyes wandering away from him for a brief second before she decided to speak openly "I... I must be honest, since our meeting with the Emperor I have become less sure," she paused and looked into her guests face. If there were to be anyone to confide in, it would be a stallion of his status and his immense understanding so she could not miss this opportunity. Speaking once more after her thought "less sure of my connection to Alya" when she said these words her throat felt like it would close up it almost felt treacherous.
Quickly after she finished her first thought she scrambled for another sentence "I'm sorry you must be here to pray rather than listen to my nonsense Councillor, would you like to join me?" she let out a soft exhale that hinted at her stress. Perhaps having the Councillor here she would be able to just return to the routine of things and ignore her conflicting thoughts, he was a welcome distraction to her. |
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Post by Elphora on Sept 7, 2017 5:44:49 GMT -6
Cardinal it will try to change; it will clamor for clarity word count: 385 | reference | this pic is so beautiful it still makes me want to cry
It was much clearer the second time, as whatever discomfort contorted her sweet features did so again - Unmissable, and regrettable, enough that Cardinal almost felt ashamed for having asked. What surprised him more than this, however, was Nafisa's sudden honesty. His spectacle-rimmed red eyes widened at her admittance, though the expression was sympathetic and warm; He too had been deeply unsettled in the nights since that crucial meeting, churning over the image of the Sultan beside the Talorian Emperor again and again until he felt ill. This, Cardinal supposed, was the secret price of war and strife - Not only fear and anger, but the sensation of being lost in a field of bad choices and not knowing where to turn. Having been startled at her openness, the Councillor was scrambling to find a suitable response when the golden mare quickly spoke again. The urgent undertone to her words suggested that she felt uneasy with the sentiments she had aired. The stallion's pointed ears perked up from the messy dark locks that fell about his face, flicking as though to catch more of the sweet sound of her voice. "Oh - Of course, I would... I would love to," He had come here to pray to Alya, after all, hoping that their patron deity would offer some guidance in these grim hours - Perhaps she already was, through the vessel of her Mullah. Cardinal wondered if it had been selfish to think that Nafisa would help him; Perhaps it was the winged goddess' design that he should offer help to her, instead. "Only spare me a little longer of your time if you will, Nafisa; I think we should talk a moment about the meeting," He hated that it brought her such discomfort, but ignoring a thorn in one's hoof would hardly stop it from stinging. Cardinal had learned this lesson the hard way himself, and still found it difficult to confront the demons of his past sorrows. "If I may be frank with you, my lady, I have been feeling very worried about it all myself. There are difficult times ahead for Sedo, and I... I fear for the consequences of the hard decisions we make." If nothing else, he hoped it might console Fi somewhat to know that at last in this, she was not alone. |
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