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  • Beqanna

    COTY

    Assailant -- Year 226

    QOTY

    "But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura


    Say You'll Never Let Me Go -[Warlight]
    #1
    Clayton
    Every Story Has Two Sides
    He has looked for her for weeks, his body ached wondering what had happened to her. He wanted to admit defeat, but he refused, he would find Warlight, even if it was the last thing he did.

    He has ventured through Hyaline, imagining she would be lurking in her home, but she wasn't there. He has lurked around a few of the neighboring kingdoms, but still, she was no where to be found. His mind keeps bringing him back to beach, when Warlight hosted the party in Hyaline. He for the first time made his feelings obvious, but they never had a chance to talk because hours after the plague struck.

    It was ironic that the party was almost a last bash before the plague struck down causing chaos. Though he enjoyed remembering the good times, reality settled in and he had to find Warlight. The bay and green stallion finds himself in the cove once again, perhaps she found her way to the safe zone? Perhaps she found the rest of her family, and hopefully, she was not infected with the plague. But most importantly, he needed to make sure she was safe, he has never gone this long without Warlight, and he certainly was going through some separation anxiety.


    @[Warlight] <3
    [Image: clayton_by_cowgirlconrad-dcmmo18.png]




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    #2
    Warlight


    The world had been flipped on its head and Will was apart of that. Her mind was reeling and her body failing. 

    She was a perpetrator and a victim all the same. The crime against Beqanna would have been just as successful without her, of course, she didn't flatter herself. But she had been there. her face had been washed in his poison blood and she had helped wrenched back the gates which guarded The Seal buried within him. She was guilty, yet struggling to feel shame.  

    And then there was The Boy. They had been through so much together and she still didn't even know his name. 

    But the more immediate problem with all this end-of-the-world-shit was she couldn't find her way home. The geography of Beqanna had changed, that much she had gathered, and Hyaline was nearly empty. The fever prevented Warlight from moving quicker than a walk most the time, she it had taken days (weeks?) to cross the mountains towards the luminescent, silver bay in the distance. 

    But something called her there. One night, shaking with sickness, she had seen a blue light piece the sky. And although she wasn't sure of the beacon was a fever dream or reality, she had felt that the new land was home. That she needed to go there. It was the only lead she had. 

    It had taken every ounce of strength she had, but she had done it. 

    Finally, on the border of Hyaline and what she would learn was Silver Cove, Will decided to rest even though dust is hours off. With her head in the dirt, she drifts to sleep, and her thick, rattling breath slows. 

    — soul as sweet as blood red jam —

    [Image: Warlightpageddoll1.png]
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    #3
    Clayton
    Every Story Has Two Sides
    He has searched everywhere that he could possibly imagine her going. He could not accept defeat, she was out there somewhere, and he would not rest until he found her. His body ached from the lack of sleep, and somehow he has avoided the plague, but if he would have to risk his health and visit the kingdoms without protection, than he would.

    The sun was still high in the sky, but perhaps he should have one more look around the Cove before resting and heading out to the outer lying kingdoms. He casually walks around the cove, everything was so new to him. He came to the Cove initially with the other kingdom members, but he left almost immediately when Warlight was not amongst the residents. Was this there new home? It was nothing like Hyaline, he missed the mountains that he had always played in, the creek that they would splash around. The cove was just a vast open land, with a shallow beach lining the edge of it.

    He sighs as he scans around the small shoreline, heading closer towards Hyaline, perhaps she would go near there home. But as much as he wishes, he could not find her....but just as he was losing hope his eyes catch another. He tilts his head, the equine was not moving, just laying there and he quickly bolted towards the equine.

    He slides to a halt as he stands just within a reasonable view, she was unmistakable, the horns....the scar on her shoulder. He was sure his heart stopped beating for a moment, Warlight he whispers quietly, in disbelief to the body. Warlight!! This time he yells her name aloud, he bolts towards her once again, his legs pounding into the ground with every stride.

    He slides to a halt as he nears her, the sand and dirt mixture flies about as he comes to a stop. She was barely breathing, he was not sure if it was better to find her in this state, or to continue looking for her, thinking the best, rather than accepting the worst. Will..... his voice trembled with fear, his nudges her cheek with his maw, he did not know how to react. He wanted to scream for joy, scream in fear, cry for the thoughts of the worst. But instead he remains calm on the outside, for her, he could not let her see him scared.

    He would be strong for the both of them


    @[Warlight] <3
    [Image: clayton_by_cowgirlconrad-dcmmo18.png]




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    #4
    He'd caught her scent again. She'd taken off in a questing way, intent on her direction. It had led them back toward Pangea and for a bit he was fearful that she meant for them to drive back into that hellhole. There was no small relief when their path turned north once more, and into a land he didn't know. It was a clear path, if only to the painted girl. It wasn't so much to him, though he kept close anyway. 

    There was so much risk anymore, in wandering alone. Those who had simmered in the background of Beqanna before now saw the opportunity to act without consequences. In the chaos, who would stop them? It was safer by far to travel together, and Raul found that for all that had occurred, Warlight was a good traveling companion. She was stubborn and steadfast and braver than he'd guessed. He could guess pretty well at what played through her head at night, and lent her his presence when it was wanted. Heaven knew it helped him, not being alone. 

    Still, he didn't hold her close. On days like today if she vanished, he tried not to worry. Tried. There was clearly something eating at her, literally. Illness marked her in a cough and lethargy and specks of blood. If she fell and didn't get back up... he had to be there. Her scent wasn't difficult to follow, so he did and was glad of it. She lay on the ground, and he couldn't tell if her ribs were moving. Even less reassuringly was the verdant horned horse leaning over her form, far too close for comfort. 

    His gait picked up at the sight. Cantering close, he wanted to scream, to tell this intruder to step away! Had he hurt her? Knocked her to thur ground? He charged down, stopping with his chest almost touching the other male, ears laid against his skull threateningly. This idiot better have a good explanation, and Warlight had better be okay. 

    @[Warlight] @[Clayton]
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    #5
    Warlight



    The sound of her name fails to drag Warlight from her cloying sleep, but it causes her to stir, kick-starting some dream about a friend she hasn't seen in far too long. She shifts as his scent reaches her and she recognizes it, even in sleep. 

    With his touch she fully awakens, rolling up to lay on her belly with her four legs folded to one side. Sleepily, with blinking red eyes and a crusty nose, she smiles at him and doesn't think to wonder how terrible she must appear. "Hey, Clay." Her scratchy voice is soft yet bright, as she realizes that he looks as healthy as ever, and quite different from the young colt she had last seen galloping across the beach. 

    Then the nameless boy is there, as he always had been these last week, pushing into Clayton with a fierceness she hadn't seen in him before. The Will uses the moment to rock to her feet as the young stallions scuffle, grateful that her struggling effort could go unnoticed by them. In the moment before she has gained her balance Warlight notices the unsuitability of the place she had slept with embarrassment, but it passes quickly and she is on the move full of determination and mild annoyance. 

    Ears pinned, the antlered girl pushes forward, bringing herself between the two if it is needed. At a year older than herself Raul is taller and more powerful than she would ever be, but even though he has yet to speak a word to her she knows he will not hut her. "Stop," she interrupts, barking at both at once as her deep sapphire eyes sweep between them. "This is my friend, Clayton. We grew up together." She pauses, her gaze searching the mismatched eyes of Raul, suddenly unsure of how to introduce the pale stallion who has been her silent keeper and comrade during the nights of fever dreams and bitter chills. 

    — soul as sweet as blood red jam —

    [Image: Warlightpageddoll1.png]
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    #6
    Clayton
    Every Story Has Two Sides

    It was surreal that she was before him, flesh and blood. He had looked for so long and thought that perhaps they would never run into each other again, but fate wasn't finished with them just yet. He gently nudges the mare and much to his relief she rolls awake, she looks at him like she had just awoken from a long nap. Hey Clay she says with a smile, her reaction causing a gentle laugh to escape his maw.

    There time alone was brief as the sound of another echoed in his ears, he turns his head to the source and sees a pale stallion storming over. He gave no warning, and no reason for his intrusion, Clayton could only expect the worst. He positions himself in front of Warlight and his ears pinned to the back of his dome.

    He was not a young colt anymore, he was a grown stallion and his body had built muscle over the year, the two were similarly matched. Clayton had no issues finishing the fight this idiot would start, and as the fiery buckskin came to a halt his chest was nearly touching Claytons, gazing at Clayton threateningly.

    He had never felt these emotions before, the usually calm tempered stallion was itching with anger. He wasn't sure if it was completely due to wanting to protect Warlight, or just to wipe the arrogance from this bastard. Clayton matched the stallions stance, puffing his chest so the two stood brushing chests. His ears remained pinned and his teeth barely visible as a subtle snarl could be detected from the horned stag. Who the hell do you think you are?! He demanded an explanation from this asshole, storming over here like they owe him something.

    Stop

    The plead for help barely caught his attention, but it was the sweet voice of Will. His gaze flicked from the pale stallion to Warlight, he was so caught up in hormonal rage he had lost sight of Will. This is my friend, we grew up together. She introduces him to the stallion, but shouldn't it be the other way around? What the hell was going on, and how did these two know each other?

    He exhales with a snort and a swish of his tail to show his irritation of the situation. His eyes looked at Warlight quizzically before glancing back to the stranger How do you two know each other? He asks, his eyes narrowing on the stallion, his chest never relaxing, though he spared a blood bath for the sake of Warlight's request.


    @[Raul] @[Warlight] oh the hormones.
    [Image: clayton_by_cowgirlconrad-dcmmo18.png]




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    #7
    Warlight is alive and conscious. That much processes by the time the cantering pale stallion reaches the antlered female and the darkly toned stallion standing over her. Emerald and mahogany, he's almost a perfect inverse of Raul himself. Tall where the other is stocky, verdant locks in place of his flame. Crowned with his own style of horns. Despite this, Raul knew he wouldn't hesitate to bust this cocky son of a bitch's jaw if it came down to it. He may not hold his brother's gifts, but pride and fire pulsed through his veins the same as it did for the rest of his kin. 

    A rough snort whispered through his nostrils as the buck bumped against his thick chest, demanding the same answers from his lips as Warlight had, though in much angrier tones. Fuckin' bring it, asshole. His jaw tightened, eyes flickering between green boy and the painted mare behind him. Warlight's sharp admonishment broke his determination to finish whatever altercation this Clayton wanted to push into. The fact that the two seemed to have a shared history did nothing to endear him. 

    Tossing his head indifferently, Raul took a single step back, marginally widening the space between them. He glanced over Warlight more thoroughly, looking for any signs of trauma or injury beyond what he knew of. Nothing obvious jumped out at him, lucky for Clayton. 

    Out of nowhere, a spasmodic cough wracked through him, tearing his throat in a symptom he'd hoped he was through with. Thick iron tang filled his mouth. The coughing fit stuck in his chest, making it hard to get enough air. It felt like his ribs wanted to crack under the strain, when something broke loose. 

    In a gust of air, his lungs expelled the wad of congealed blood and mucus that had worked its way up his throat. Head low to the ground, he breathed deeply for the first in a long time. Spitting the remnants of bloody discharge from his maw, the youth raised his now-throbbing head with some effort. Blood stained lips stretched in a macabre grin as his eyes shut momentarily. 

    "Raul. My name is... Raul." 

    His voice rasped into the air, a smoke-clogged whisper between them. Was that it? Had the poison left his body at last? Or would he always feel it gripping him, somewhere between his blood and skin. He suspected the latter would be true. One could not go through what he had and come out the other side unchanged. Physically or mentally, probably both. He knew it, and so did the night-eyed girl he'd followed here. Tree colored blokes be damned, Raul realized he wouldn't give up such a girl so easily. Looking to meet her lovely gaze, a kinder smile colored his features. 

    @[Warlight] @[Clayton]
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    #8
    Warlight



    The weight of his gaze is not lost on her. The loaded question she sees hiding behind his posturing suddenly makes sense as his anger towards Raul escalates. 

    My treasure is already here.

    His words, from the night of her party, come back to her - words she had believed to be meaningless banter.  It wasn't a joke though, he wasn't just playing around like they always did, and she suddenly realizes what an idiot she has been to not see it sooner.

    Raul is the one to widen the space between them, and she passes him a quick, thankful glance before her gaze settles on the green pointed stallion. Will releases the tension of her teeth clenching together, her jaw relaxing, but her charcoal tipped ears never leaving the dense mat of her mane. What had been meant as a brief pause stretches uncomfortably long, as the responses her mind provides feel wrong.  

    We killed a man together, us and 20 of strangers. A fucked up communal murder, that's where we met. 

    "Pangea," she says instead, let him put the pieces together if he wanted to. Now was not the time for storytelling, and it was a story she wouldn't be able to tell for a long while yet, even in the most intimate of settings. 

    But a bout of coughing from the bone-colored stallion interrupts whatever would have come next. Eyes wide, Hyaline's Princess watches helplessly as he fights the congealed blood, wondering what she should do. But her concern doesn't have time to turn into panic before he expels the mass, calmly lifting his head and speaks.

    "Raul?" she repeats, finally placing a name on her companion. There is so much she want's to ask him, and she restrains herself from wiping the blood off his mouth as her feverish eyes return to Clayton.

    "We're sick, Clay," she explains, her voice rough as she feels the fatigue building again. "And I need a place to rest for a little bit." She shakes her head, as if someway that will help. It was a hard thing to admit to her childhood friend who had only know her as a girl full of strength and energy.  "I got so scared when Hyaline seemed empty," she continues quickly "but i'm glad to see you, is everyone here?" 

    — soul as sweet as blood red jam —

    [Image: Warlightpageddoll1.png]
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    #9
    Clayton
    Every Story Has Two Sides

    Luckily for the pale bastard he steps back, Claytons eyes follow stallion, his gaze was cold. He was not a Hyaline member, and Clayton would normally welcome all equines to the safe grounds, but this one he wanted to leave as soon as possible.

    His mind played out all the possibilities of how these two knew each other, and whatever relationship they could have formed while they were separated. His odds were not good, and that made his jaw clench harder, normally he was a calm and even shy equine....but for some reason he could not get a handle on his emotions. The stallions ears remained pinned as he fought the urge to lunge into a fight with this stallion.

    Raul, my name is Raul he says in response to Claytons first question, what a stupid name he thinks to himself. He forced his body to relax as there had been space between the two for some time now, though the anger was still rushing through his veins.

    He asks Raul how he knew Warlight, but it was Will who responds, Pangea. She does not offer any other information, simply the word Pangea, a kingdom he barely heard of, and anything he did hear was not good. He tilts his head slightly, he could tell that she was tired, and even had stories to share, but now was not the time, even though he wanted to know.

    The stallion breaks into a coughing fit and Clayton could swear it was on purpose, his eyes narrow on the stallion as Warlight quickly flicks her attention to him. She looked at this stallion a way that Clayton has never seen, but dearly wanted. He could almost feel his heart shatter, the worst of his thoughts had to be true.

    He force his gaze to meet Will as he felt her gaze burning in him We're sick Clay. He knew she meant the plague, a disease that he was able to escape so far, but his love had not had the same outcome. She was weak, and her body was thinner than normal, he should have connected the dots earlier, but he was so distracted by this whole situation.

    I need a place to rest for a little bit , was she asking him to leave? Or to be alone with Raul? I got so scared when Hyaline seemed empty, but I'm glad to see you, is everyone here. His gaze for the first time ever fell cold as he looked at Warlight. She must really not have known how he felt about her, that he loved her, did she think that he sat around waiting for her to come home? Did she think so little of him, she thought that he would sit around scared of the disease that plagued beqanna?

    Will his tone was not its normal gentle tone, instead it was harsher, his broken heart pouring out of his mouth. I have no idea who is here, I have been looking for you since the plague struck. He instantly regretted telling her that, she did not need the extra stress, but the words easily slipped past his lips. His gaze flicked to Raul, he found himself in danger everyday looking for Will....while she was cuddling up to this smug bastard.

    The bay and green stallion dips his head to Warlight If rest is what you want, then I will leave you to it. his tone remained cold, he was unable to grasp his emotions, if he did not put up this wall he would probably end with tear stained cheeks. His gaze flicked back to Raul, I hope you enjoy your stay at the Cove his eyes narrowed on him, nearly saying congratulations on the best catch of your life. 

    He took what little pride he had left, turning his body to the right and casually bound into the depths of the Cove without giving so much as a second glance back to the pair he left behind.


    @[Warlight] @[Raul] uhmmmm yea, so that happened.
    [Image: clayton_by_cowgirlconrad-dcmmo18.png]




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    #10
    Spitting residue onto the earth at his feet, Raul watched impassively as things spoken and unspoken passed between the other two. There was pain in the other males face, masked by a thin shell of anger and incredulity. For a moment, the pale gold coated boy almost felt sorry for him. Even still, he had a feeling that the result would have been the same, even if he had known. 

    Tipping his crown slightly in acknowledgment of Clayton's icy farewell, he took it as a silent forfeit. An impression which was underscored by his swift departure. Gravely, he stepped closer to the splashed girl, grimacing at the lingering pain in his throat. Pain or no, things needed saying now that he was able. His shoulder and hip grazed hers in the lightest of touches, offering tacit comfort if that was what she needed. "I'm... sorry. If I've interfered in something. But... he does not fight for you. I would. He does not know what you've seen. I do. And," He paused, resting the gravelly fragment of his voice for a moment. "Warlight. It's a beautiful name. Brightness in troubled times. Suits you." 

    His throat ached from this short speech, the iron tang of blood still strong on his tongue. She was so thin now, hip and shoulder bones laid against his. It was misery to watch someone waste like this. Was his mother ill, his brother? Would they be dead before he could reach them again? Another cough burst from his chest, lips spattered with droplets of blood. Inhaling deeply at the end, his head dropped once more. Rest was a good suggestion. One they both ought to follow. Small points of contact, yet they were things he'd grown used to since they'd left Pangea. The security of another being nearby. It had become hard to rest without that, without her. 

    Tiny points of contact, and it seemed he could feel the fever burning through her skin and bones. A wildfire eating at her, until a dry husk is all that would remain. Halfway dreaming, he saw the fire blaze inside her. Hotter than hell, consuming everything it came across. It would burn him up too, if he let it. He couldn't outrun it. Maybe he could fight it. Fire would not eat water, and so that's what he pictured. Water, cool, fresh water. A stream, a river, a flood of it. Fire died at his feet, until only patches of embers remained. 

    Smoking stumps, smoldering grass, it wasn't dead, no matter how much he poured into it. But it didn't burn so hotly now. It lingered in the background, sending streamers of pearly grey smoke into a sky the same color as her eyes. Gradually the dream shifted until the fire faded from memory. Instead it was cold, the stars glittering overhead in a lacy canopy. Snowflakes drifted from the cloudless sky. 

    @[Warlight] A bit of disease suppression for you
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