|
|
Post by Jennycallie on Jul 31, 2018 18:16:27 GMT -6
 Hira
War Lord
Expecting Anika to stay at her side, Hira turned her head sharply and tracked her filly’s movement through the fog, watching as the foal attached herself to- ah, Colborn. Hira relaxed, head swinging back around. The old blacksmith would take good care of Anika. If less had been going on presently, Hira might have taken the moment to reflect on the circular passage of time, and the repetition of history. But her attention was captured again, not by the strange creature she tracked, but by the kirin that stepped fully from the mists.
“You couldn’t hurt me if you tried.”
Hira’s ears flicked several degrees backwards at the arrogance and veiled threat, though the attitude was something she was becoming accustomed to with each new kirin she met. Worse than the standard issue Aodhians, they were. But thus far they had caused no true issues, and were more smoke than fire. Hira kept one ear trained on the kirins at her back, but trusted Faelan and Ava to keep additional eyes on the potential situation.
Allowing the murmurs of the group to fade to the background in her awareness, Hira focused instead on the feeling of the earth beneath her hooves, and the nearly inaudible whispering, almost music-like sounds still seeming to emanate from the trees. The forest felt very much alive. Indeed, all of Onea felt dynamic and aware beneath Hira’s hooves, but this forest… it was that feeling, but bumped up several notches.
Then Hira’s awareness of the earth flared, an explosion of sensory input between her and her earth manipulation bond.
“Quiet,” Hira said sharply, halting with no warning. The hammer still swung at the ready at her side, but Hira detected no malice, only… what? Interest? Perhaps some fear? She shook her head, thick mane flying. She should not project her own emotions onto what was happening.
“Does anyone else feel-”
Hira’s words were cut off abruptly as a green and silvery brown something flowed in the branches above the group. Hira whirled, looking up in time to catch a flicker of movement as what looked like a living piece of Silverwood landed splay-legged on the earth between Faelan, Mert, Kiger, and the pair of kirins. It leapt away into the mists almost too quickly to follow with one lash of its- tail?
Hira tried to block its exit with a heave of earth manipulation, bringing up several great sheets of dirt and stone, but the creature was gone again.
“Are you injured?” Hira asked the group, though her eyes were on the area the creature had disappeared into, and not her potentially wounded subjects.
Post 3 | 439 words
Badge by Chipo-H0P3
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2018 22:15:47 GMT -6
MERT
Mert didn’t have any other option but to go along with Faelan. His friend’s confident smile did fairly little to assure him anymore, but it wasn’t like he was going to be left behind alone. Or with a stranger. He didn’t really want to be a lookout either, but he didn’t find it in him to argue further and instead let himself be pushed forward meekly.
He glanced back at the other kirin who finally stepped better into view, and was merely happy that he was practically shielded by Faelan. He had very little time or energy to worry about the foal or the older unicorn.
Mert’s step freezed immediately at Hira’s command, almost sliding on the wet ground as his hind end sunk to ensure he stopped in his tracks. His bow hovered in his teke, unsure of what it was they were stopping for.
He didn’t hear the end of the question when something suddenly came from the trees, and moved much too fast to point an arrow at. What Mert did register was that it was coming closer, and he wanted nothing to do with it, whatever it was. He barely caught a glimpse, and as quickly as his feet would carry he skittered behind Faelan, eyes wide and staring into the direction the thing had disappeared into.
Mert wasn’t one bit proud of himself and he could feel his face burning. He shook his head, which was obviously a bit of a silly response when Hira didn’t even look at them – his mouth was just too dry to produce actual words.
Word count: 265 | post 4
|
|
|
|
Post by Dream-Lark on Aug 7, 2018 13:00:18 GMT -6
Wintera | Kirin Outcast It was with a faint sense of surprise which quickly turned to relief that the other kirin approached her, joining her in step near this other group of oddities. She felt more relaxed, more safe and secure beside this veiled kirin and their glaive. And yet, their question confused and irritated her. "I'm Wintera, also clearly a child of our Fire Father," she replied, friendly but indignant. "What do you mean, true kirin? Lord Ignacio would never make anything but!" She shouldn't have to defend the fire god to another kirin, so truly, she was confused. Mouth had just opened again when the War Lord gave a demanding 'hush' and a quick glare was sent to the small unicorn, who interrupted two kirins speaking. And yet, she was truly silenced by shock a scant moment later when she caught sight of something landing in the midst of the group. In a flash it was gone, though not before Hira attempted to stop it, the shifted of earth causing the small scaled equine to stumble slightly, a huff escaping her lips though her curiosity was ignited. "Fine," Wintera replied curtly, attention fixated on the spot the creature had left. What on earth could that have been? She knew of nothing like that, hadn't even heard any stories in the surrounding community about such a creature. With a flick of her tail and against her better sense, the kirin bounded forward and around the wall of earth, determined to figure out what had just happened. It didn't seem to mean any harm, since no one had been injured when it landed among them--and it had had the opportunity. WC 276 | Post 4 |
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Aug 7, 2018 13:28:45 GMT -6
Uriel These broken limbs are worn and tired
But our words are not yet written
Our ember still burning inside
  
x | x Walking alongside the other Kirin, Uriel barely paid attention as the others talked among themselves or when they were joined by more. No, Uriel was too focused on the other Kirin and their words. Flicking their ears forward, Uriel bent their head and shook it in a silent Apology “I did not mean to offend, my fellow Kirin, nor did I mean to offend the Great Kirin lord.” Uriel looked towards the others of the group “But my words ring true. There are… imposters among our kind. Not true bred as you and I, but those who seemingly have had our horns and scales thrust upon them.” Uriel’s snarled quietly, fangs bared when the war lord had turned and politely told them to shut it.
But Uriel straightened and held their glaive, eyes searching. The flash hadn’t scared them nor made them jump, Uriel just continued to hold their ground “This world is a strange one, and I find myself lost to a fog in my mind. Do you remember much, Wintera?” Uriel glanced at them, their veil shifting to show them their slitted eyes. They would not show it, but Uriel was desperate for any form of knowledge.
Post 4 | 224
|
|
|
|
Post by misttheelf on Aug 7, 2018 16:14:24 GMT -6
Enki barked at the mare who had been in her way, before dashing off once more. She had a scent of someone familiar, and while she loved meeting new people, This forest was creepy and familiar people were better.
"Enki!" Starla shouted after her familiar, before bowing her head towards the poor mare. "My apologies about her, Stop by my shop sometime and I'll give you something for this." She said quickly, before chasing after her rambunctious pup again. "Enki! You need to stop running off..!" Starla started to scold, before freezing, seeing... Something moved past her, and forwards, towards where Enki had run. Starla frowned. "Enki!" She shouted, charging forward, soon finding herself in the clearing with teh War Lord, and several others, almost all of them staring at the direction that... Thing... had gone.
Enki stood at Winterra's side, panting slightly. Starla looked around at the others. "What... was that?" She asked, as she came up behind the group. SHe didn't recognize most of those gathered - Perhaps because she so rarely actually socialized with most others, but Winterra was a familiar face to her. Well, had become one, at least. They hadn't spoken much, but Starla had frequently seen the kirin at Taend's tavern.
WC:206 Post 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Moose-On-Ice on Aug 9, 2018 1:13:01 GMT -6
|| COLBORN || 
The old smith's grey eyes slowly moved to the small filly spinning around, distraught clear on her face. He nearly called out to Anika, taking a small half step forward before he was beaten by the filly herself bolting towards him. Colborn gave a small grunt once she fell into him, tucking his head down to look at her.
"Mh, what are you scared of, missy?" He asked gruffly around his pipe, yet his tone softened slightly in a way only reserved for small foals. "I have little doubt your mother won't be able to handle this, there's little to fear here." He lifted his gaze, his eyes met with Hira's for a brief moment, only giving her a small nod to show he had things covered with Anika. Cocking one back leg, he moved a front leg forward slightly to gently hold the filly slightly.
Taking the time to look over the others in the area better, he was mildly distracted by the almost cocky young comments given out by some of the equines. Until Hira sharply called out. Head lifting, brows furrowing, he changed his stance once more, settling all four feet firmly on the ground. He trusted the War Lord's intuition, despite the age experience difference between them.
Reacting to the sudden appearance of... Well, something, Colborn pushed Anika a little closer, angling his body to put himself in-between her and it. The smith expected to hear shouts of battle, clanging weapons any moment now. But there was only the growl of earth that Hira brought up to contain the beast... And it was gone. "What in Kaia's earthly name...?" He grumbled through his teeth.
Word Count 278 | Post 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Dream-Lark on Aug 9, 2018 11:07:09 GMT -6
Wintera | Kirin Outcast The smaller equine accepted the apology with a small, graceful nod, though features still held confusion. "I can understand why others would want to be kirins, that's only natural, but you've seen non-kirins... become them?" Tone was almost a horrified whisper, feeling that this entire notion touched upon blasphemy. "But...who could do such a thing except Lord Ignacio? Yet why would he?" the indications nearly made her dizzy with the swirl of thoughts, before the mare had to shake her antlered head and try to stuff the information away. Now wasn't the time to try to figure out the different aspects of such a bizarre occurrence she'd never even seen with her own eyes--but she couldn't doubt the words of her companion. Why would he lie about such a thing? Pale eyes peered around the shifted earth Hira had created, but she didn't see any sign of the absurd creature that looked like nothing she'd ever head of. And she didn't really have any tracking abilities, so with a sigh she turned back to Uriel, casting a glance to their other companions to see that filly from before attach herself to an older looking unicorn who had reacted, battle ready, at the creature's appearance. "No, Uriel," Wintera replied to the question, tone soft and pained, though she managed to hide the anxiety and insecurity thinking about her lost memories and past always caused. She wouldn't let the assorted equines near them see her in such a state--especially Avocado. "I couldn't even remember my name, actually. Wintera is one I had to make up, but it seemed fitting for this cold, cold place I woke up in." Attention was snagged at the barking of a dog and shouting, ears flickering toward the renewed commotion as the canine beast darted through the trees to stop beside her. It was familiar--Enki, Starla's pet. Which meant the common horse couldn't be far behind. "We don't know, but we're trying to find out!" The kirin replied, gesturing toward the way it had disappeared. She took a few steps forward again, peering through the trees to see if she could catch another glimpse of it. This was definitely not a boring day. WC 369 | Post 5 |
|
|
|
Post by ThatDenver on Aug 10, 2018 12:52:41 GMT -6
FAELAN
Faelan kept Mert close while also watching the kirins, and for the matter of fact the entire entourage outside the people he knew by looks. He recognized the old unicorn War Lord’s child was hiding under, and more or less decided that the few of them were the only people there worth trusting.
Suddenly, they came under attack, or that’s what it felt like at least. He didn’t have time to answer Hira’s question before something leapt in the middle of their group. Faelan stepped back, war hammer raised and took a swing at it, but only hit earth, kicking up a cloud of dust and rock. He was left standing there a little confused and frazzled, his eyes going to Mert to see if he was okay.
“I’m fine”, Faelan replied stoically, and stepped up to stand almost side by side with Hira, although keeping a respectful enough distance to not seem too familiar with the War Lord.
He wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure what would be appropriate, so instead he was quiet, hammer raised and ready for action – and more importantly, ready to accompany the War Lord and make sure nothing happened to any of the good Forged in their company.
The kirins he was honestly less concerned about. Especially the big smug one.
Word count: 218
Post #5
|
|
|
|
Post by tarriedsea on Aug 11, 2018 18:07:37 GMT -6
 Safe against Colborn's chest, she was free to watch her mother drift into the woods like a ghost. This place was too weird.
"Mh, what are you scared of, missy?"
Not confident enough with her voice to speak, she responded by pressing her shoulder even more into the blacksmith's chest. His forehoof wrapped around her and her breathing slowed from its panic. He was so solid and soothing.
Something flashed and she jumped a bit in place, but before she could focus her gaze Colborn had moved himself to shield her from view.
She flicked her ears back & forth and tried to peek out- he wasn't much bigger than mama, but large enough for her to squeeze under. Legs splayed, her back pressed against the blacksmith's fuzzy belly and she poked her head out to where Colborn was looking, ears swiveling around.
She was suddenly aware of new figures in the area- some she knew, most she did not- and not all of them looked particularly happy or friendly. Hira called back to everyone. Anika let out a tiny squeal, but didn't move from under Colborn's belly. Everyone looked nervous suddenly. She hadn't seen what just happened other than a quick flash, but almost everyone looked uneasy. It made a pit form in her stomach. |
|
|
|
Post by Jennycallie on Aug 11, 2018 18:42:12 GMT -6
Hira
War Lord
Hira’s head had whipped towards the dog and Starla as they thundered into the clearing, the earth around Hira trembling with the control of her Blessing, waiting to be unleashed. Stars and stones, how many equines were wandering this forest? Annoyed at her reaction, the pony turned away from the Merchant, and caught sight of Wintera edging into the mist after the creature, her features already softening and blending in the strange silvery light. Hira wasn’t sure why the sight of a Kirin stepping gently into the shifting embrace of a strange forest struck her so suddenly, but it did. She stared for a moment, then her mind caught up.
“Kirin-” Hira said warningly, though she too stepped forwards. The forest just felt so.... Non-violent. Not exactly peaceful, no, there was too much surging life running through it, and what was life but competition and struggle? But it was a clean, healthy feeling. Hira shook her head, trying to clear it. She could not be sure if she was projecting or not, or worse, her emotions were being manipulated somehow. She had never had cause to doubt her connection to the earth before… but these new trees were entirely too weird to not be given careful and wary consideration.
Still. Hira stepped forwards. Peering after Wintera, trying to pierce the cloaking mists that threaded through the sentinel trees. Turning slightly so that her flank was more to Faelan, the two of them making a defensive wedge formation, Hira reached carefully with her Earth Manipulation and felt along the forest floor, searching. The earth around her and Faelan trembled minutely as Hira sunk her awareness into it, ready to leap into action.
Something deeper into the forest made a low, almost tentative sound.
Then, as if deliberately, the mists around and past Wintera suddenly drew back, revealing more of the forest floor…
And a creature.
That was the best word Hira could apply to the thing that sat crouched and frozen, staring back at the group. It was silver and green, the colours of the forest… Hira blinked, even as she sunk into a battle-ready stance. Because the creature wasn’t just the colours of the forest… but it was made of the forest. A living wood frame, interposed with patches of moss and pale green pine needles, even weathered granite. Its tail was plumed in more Silverwood needles, and with a shock Hira realized that it was roughly the shape of a mountain lion. If a mountain lion were turned into a forest.
The creature made another low sound, then crept closer, pine-tail lashing uneasily. Hira raised her hammer and the creature… cat? finched back, then rolled over onto it’s back, revealing a rough tree bark belly.
“What… are you?” Hira asked. The cat rolled back over, eyes (no, not true eyes, but darker chunks of stone, Hira realized) moved over the group. Its gaze seemed to flinch away from the Kirins, but when its head was turned towards Colborn and Anika, it actually burst into what was unmistakable purrs.
“What is it?” Hira asked the group this time, and the cat looked back at her. Then it looked at Faelan, and then Mert. It crept closer, tail lashing anxiously, and Hira tensed, but did not attack. She’d never quite be able to say why, later, but she let the weird approximation of a cat prowl up to Mert, and bump him gently with its head.
And then the mists rolled back in, and the cat was gone.
Hira’s hammer dropped slowly to her side.
“What.”
Post 4 | 594 words
Badge by Chipo-H0P3
|
|
|
|
Post by misttheelf on Aug 11, 2018 20:30:11 GMT -6
Starla frowned as she looked around the clearing. Wintera had said they still didn't know, which was... unfortunate. But Enki seemed fairly calm now, with the others in the clearing. The pup looked up at Winterra as she stepped away, letting out a low woof. Starla looked back at her, and asked, "Wintera?" when the mists started to surround the kirin, and tilted her head slightly. The black mare wasn't going to question the kirin much - After all, they hadn't truly spoken much in the taverns... But then, the cat appeared. "W-what is that?" she mumbled, looking at the odd cat, taking a small step towards it. She was rather curious about it, and well, she wasn't one be cautious, really. Starla watched as the cat looked around at their group, as it lashed is tail... Although, she would admit, she wondered why it purred when it saw Annika and Colborn. That was a mystery. Starla tilted her head as the forest-cat went to one of the others there, bumping it's head against them. It certainly was acting like a cat... until the mists came back, and the cat had disappeared. "That was... odd." Starla said, looking at the others.
WC: 200 Post 4
|
|
|
|
Post by Moose-On-Ice on Aug 11, 2018 20:53:43 GMT -6
|| COLBORN ||
Colborn made no move to stop Anika from looking out, but he stayed positioned over her defensively. He had absolutely no fuckin' idea what that had just been, if it was friend or foe, or if it was even... He shook his head, puffing his pipe silently, mind working to try and understand what had been glimpsed. Carefully keeping half of his attention on Hira, and the other half on where the creature had vanished.
Then there was a sound. Ears pricking, Colborn lifted his head high, tucking his chin to hold his horn in front of him. The mists moved and...
"The hell..." He breathed around his pipe, staring at the beast. Cat-like. First thing he noticed. Then the unnatural colors, the unusual materials... It wasn't just a wild cat. It was... Something else... It resembled a cat, yes, but it wasn't one. None would look like that. Halfway holding his breath as it rolled onto its back, he relaxed his stance slightly. It didn't act dangerous, not right now, at least...
Thick brows lifting for a moment in a mixture of curiosity and confusion, they furrowed once the purrs began to ring through the air. Colborn's gaze met the cat's... Eyes, for lack of a better word, for a brief moment. No, something in his gut told him it wasn't dangerous. It wasn't attacking, the way it... He guessed, looked, at him and Anika, it wasn't violent.
Gazing at it brought him a mild sense of anxiety, but that was understandable for something new and unusual, but it also brought a small sense of peace. It was like the forest was declaring it was alive, wild, untamed, fearsome looking, but alive, soft, gentle, nurturing...
The mists rolled in and then it was gone. The hammer drop made his ears twitch, and he looked to Hira. "My thoughts as well," he grumbled halfway to himself, agreeing with her simple statement.
Word Count 321 | Post 4
|
|
|
|
Post by tarriedsea on Aug 12, 2018 0:00:27 GMT -6
It wasn’t until the thing purred that recognition flashed in Anika’s eyes.
A cat! A big cat but a friendly one who had rolled over for a belly rub. Anika loved the strays that roamed Skeldr Town and at times was eager- maybe too eager- to say hello and nuzzle them. Sometimes she scared them off on accident.
And sure, this was a lot bigger than any cat she had ever seen, and it was covered in rocks and tree bark, but it clearly was a friendly sort.
She watched with wide eyes as her mama surveyed it, but could not suppress the giggle of delight that rose in her throat. Some of the Valkyries had big cats as pets- white leopards with fluffy tails- who purred like kittens when they were happy. Which meant this one was happy too.
And then it was gone.
Impulsively Anika sprung out from under Colborn and leapt into the space it just occupied, ears swiveling for any sign of it, but none lingered. She stared off into the mist it came from.
She glanced at mama. She knew she shouldn’t go after it, as much as she wanted to. Mama didn’t like her wandering too far on her own. Besides, it left no trace of which direction it came from. She decided it would make an excellent hide-and-seek player if she ever found it again. Maybe she could get one of the Valkyries to bring her back here. Or Uncle Alistair or Uncle Lark or Uncle Adair.
And Grigori. She couldn’t wait to tell him about this.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2018 0:44:19 GMT -6
MERT
Mert simply managed to nod to Faelan that he was okay. He felt out of breath and he had barely done much moving. He wasn’t sure which was worse, being in this potentially dangerous situation or not really being brave enough to face it. He had little time to wallow in it, however, and instead moved in somewhat sync with Faelan. He held his bow steady once more, relying on the added strength it gave him.
He watched in quiet as Hira worked her blessing, and startled at the odd sound coming from somewhere in the forest. The creature, now in better view, was certainly odd, but not quite the terrifying monster Mert had already filled in with his imagination. He didn’t really want it to come closer, but his hooves stayed buried to the ground as long as Hira and Faelan stood their ground.
He felt slightly more at ease when the… thing seemed to submit to Hira, and a small glint of recognition lit up in his eyes at the purr.
What he had not expected, however, was for the creature to approach him. He watched with ever-growing tension as it prowled, and prowled, and felt like his heart was going to explode. The touch was gentle, just a small bump, and just like that the weird forest cat was gone. Mert’s heart skipped multiple beats, and he stared after it into the mist in utter confusion.
His gaze slowly moved to Hira and Faelan, and he uttered out: “I… I don’t know.”
Word count: 255 | post 5
|
|
|
|
Post by Jennycallie on Aug 22, 2018 16:34:09 GMT -6
Plot completed! Stay tuned for the wrap up journal! Full rewards to: Hira, Mert, Faelan, Anika, Colborn, Wintera, Uriel, Starla
|
|
