08-30-2017, 05:13 PM
Diable Rouge
>I know how it feels to be at war with a world that never loved me...
He had taken the lead.
The group consisted of the mare, Tangerine, her two children, the frail orphan boy, Kaiode, and himself. And he had taken the lead.
The mother and children trio had come to the rescue at just the right time. Kaiode, left in the sand to fend for himself by his mother (if you could even call her that), was dying. The melody the chaser sang to him was one of sorrow and defeat...for if he could not protect this child, what could he protect?
Fate had brought them all together. Well...you could call it fate. However, she had a more fitting name. Solace - a light shining through the darkness, a fire on a freezing night, the eye of a hurricane. She came towards them, unknowing of how significant her approach would come to be. Her mother offered her nourishment to the orphan boy, and for this, and for Solace, he would be eternally grateful.
The rusty stag kept Kaiode's name...it was a reminder to him that all battles, won or lost, are important. That he must stay strong, and keep fighting, no matter the circumstances of his life...something Diable Rouge had to learn for himself, but hoped to pass on to the boy and his two friends (although they were being raised more like siblings at this point).
The air, while humid, was still crisp with the promise of autumn. The children were growing before his eyes, and the child he considered to be his son, was becoming a fine young colt. Diable Rouge wished to pass on whatever knowledge he could to him before the colt was able to go off on his own in a year or two. The thought frightened him - the world was a scary place - but he knew it was inevitable, only wishing that Kaiode would remember him when this time came.
Diable Rouge took in a deep breath of the fresh air, watching the sunrise from the tropical Tephran grasses. He enjoyed his home...in fact, he hardly ever left it. He wanted to become a diplomat for the land he adored. When the time was right, he hoped this would happen. He turned to look at Kaiode, his self-proclaimed son and smiled.
Only when the time is right...
He had taken the lead.
The group consisted of the mare, Tangerine, her two children, the frail orphan boy, Kaiode, and himself. And he had taken the lead.
The mother and children trio had come to the rescue at just the right time. Kaiode, left in the sand to fend for himself by his mother (if you could even call her that), was dying. The melody the chaser sang to him was one of sorrow and defeat...for if he could not protect this child, what could he protect?
Fate had brought them all together. Well...you could call it fate. However, she had a more fitting name. Solace - a light shining through the darkness, a fire on a freezing night, the eye of a hurricane. She came towards them, unknowing of how significant her approach would come to be. Her mother offered her nourishment to the orphan boy, and for this, and for Solace, he would be eternally grateful.
The rusty stag kept Kaiode's name...it was a reminder to him that all battles, won or lost, are important. That he must stay strong, and keep fighting, no matter the circumstances of his life...something Diable Rouge had to learn for himself, but hoped to pass on to the boy and his two friends (although they were being raised more like siblings at this point).
The air, while humid, was still crisp with the promise of autumn. The children were growing before his eyes, and the child he considered to be his son, was becoming a fine young colt. Diable Rouge wished to pass on whatever knowledge he could to him before the colt was able to go off on his own in a year or two. The thought frightened him - the world was a scary place - but he knew it was inevitable, only wishing that Kaiode would remember him when this time came.
Diable Rouge took in a deep breath of the fresh air, watching the sunrise from the tropical Tephran grasses. He enjoyed his home...in fact, he hardly ever left it. He wanted to become a diplomat for the land he adored. When the time was right, he hoped this would happen. He turned to look at Kaiode, his self-proclaimed son and smiled.
Only when the time is right...
in the eye of a hurricane, there is quiet.
@[Kaiode] @[Solace]
@[Kaiode] @[Solace]
09-01-2017, 04:11 PM
He trailed behind the rusted stallion. Still unsteady on his four hooves but he was gaining strength. His foal fluff of tail flapped wildly at his rump. He leapt forwards with a new found spunk. Tossing his small head into the sky. His rear kicked up and he was off. Spindly legs carrying him quickly across the hard terrain of cooled lava rock.
He hadn't ran far. Still in sight of his new found family. His muzzle stretched to the ground as he sniffed the strange vegetation. His movements coaxed a hopping creature from it's home inside it. His head snapped in sharp movements as the creature jumped. Raising his head slightly as he looked to where his sister would be. He was surprised she was not already beside him so he whinnied for her to come see... "Solace! Come see this thing!"
She was quick to come and see the sight but quickly he grew bored. His muzzle wrinkled as he reached for her quickly. Snipping her on her rump, "Tag! Your it!" He darted off out of her reach. Black legs weaving him wildly about... "Can't catch me!"
09-01-2017, 06:08 PM
A cold chill was present in the air today; winter was now fully on its way, and it would not surprise the golden mare if the snowfall caught her out in the open one day, unaware and without better protection until her winter coat came in. As the leaves had turned the color of fire, blanketing the forest of Tephra as they fell from the tree branches, and the steam gushing from the volcano tried to combat the ever-present breeze in the air, Sirana felt her winter coat already coming in. The steam did offer some assistance in keeping warm, but if she ventured too far from the warmth, winter's chill hit her like a boulder.
Sirana had been in the Tephra for some time now and, though it had taken a while, she'd gotten used to the steam spewing from the volcano and blanketing the land in a layer of thick fog on the less pleasant days of autumn. She no longer sweat like she did upon her arrival, she could run without getting too winded due to the higher temperature she had to breath, and her body no longer felt the effects of the increased warmth when she ran.
Still, it was a lot to absorb when she first arrived, and Sirana almost gave up simply because it was so hot. However, having taken a liking to this place, she was willing to put up with it. The effort paid off, for she was happy here, she'd made friends, and had a place in the caste system studying under Nymphetamine to be a diplomat. A better one, anyways, since she'd already received some training from her dam during her first three years in the Falls kingdom.
Sirana had chosen to go off on her own today, since Nymphetamine had not called for a meeting and the one friend she enjoyed hanging out with was busy. Most of the horses in the kingdom had their favorite grazing spots, typically near the safety of the volcano since most outsiders couldn't handle the increased temperatures. Feeling daring, however, Sirana chose a spot closer to the outskirts, not too far from the river flowing through Tephra's grassland.
The golden mare had some peaceful grazing time, delicately munching on the emerald blades and relishing in their taste. Sirana sometimes tried to limit herself and how much she ate, though she was not fat in the sense she might have thought. Her stocky build came not only from her dam's blood but also her sire, who despite his height had also been a thickly-built stallion, with healthy muscles and power to back him up. Sirana did look a little more stocky than a mare of her breeding might, unlike Eiria who had muscle but a more feminine frame.
Sirana's friend often joked that this was the reason she had yet to attract the interest of stallions. The golden mare didn't pay much mind to that, since she was only eight years old. She had some more time if she ever wanted to try for a foal, and it wasn't like there were any stallions around that had attracted her attention.
The sound of a foal's voice caught Sirana's attention. She lifted her finely sculpted head, her nostrils puffing out slightly in order to catch the scent of whoever was nearby. Several yards away, she spotted a couple horses, her view enhanced by the fact that she was standing at an angle, slightly uphill.
The group was small but decent. There was a duo of full-grown horses, along with a few foals. One of them seemed to be trying to entice another to play, nipping at her rump and calling her out in a childish voice that she couldn't catch him. Sirana watched with mild interest, somewhat captured by the foal's antics but not enough to really get her involved in the situation.
She settled back to grazing, deciding that if the situation suddenly took a turn for the worst, she'd get involved. But for now, the foals could handle themselves under watch of the other full-grown horses. If anything, it was entertaining to watch them play, but Sirana decided she wanted to eat first and then deal with other matters later.
Sirana had been in the Tephra for some time now and, though it had taken a while, she'd gotten used to the steam spewing from the volcano and blanketing the land in a layer of thick fog on the less pleasant days of autumn. She no longer sweat like she did upon her arrival, she could run without getting too winded due to the higher temperature she had to breath, and her body no longer felt the effects of the increased warmth when she ran.
Still, it was a lot to absorb when she first arrived, and Sirana almost gave up simply because it was so hot. However, having taken a liking to this place, she was willing to put up with it. The effort paid off, for she was happy here, she'd made friends, and had a place in the caste system studying under Nymphetamine to be a diplomat. A better one, anyways, since she'd already received some training from her dam during her first three years in the Falls kingdom.
Sirana had chosen to go off on her own today, since Nymphetamine had not called for a meeting and the one friend she enjoyed hanging out with was busy. Most of the horses in the kingdom had their favorite grazing spots, typically near the safety of the volcano since most outsiders couldn't handle the increased temperatures. Feeling daring, however, Sirana chose a spot closer to the outskirts, not too far from the river flowing through Tephra's grassland.
The golden mare had some peaceful grazing time, delicately munching on the emerald blades and relishing in their taste. Sirana sometimes tried to limit herself and how much she ate, though she was not fat in the sense she might have thought. Her stocky build came not only from her dam's blood but also her sire, who despite his height had also been a thickly-built stallion, with healthy muscles and power to back him up. Sirana did look a little more stocky than a mare of her breeding might, unlike Eiria who had muscle but a more feminine frame.
Sirana's friend often joked that this was the reason she had yet to attract the interest of stallions. The golden mare didn't pay much mind to that, since she was only eight years old. She had some more time if she ever wanted to try for a foal, and it wasn't like there were any stallions around that had attracted her attention.
The sound of a foal's voice caught Sirana's attention. She lifted her finely sculpted head, her nostrils puffing out slightly in order to catch the scent of whoever was nearby. Several yards away, she spotted a couple horses, her view enhanced by the fact that she was standing at an angle, slightly uphill.
The group was small but decent. There was a duo of full-grown horses, along with a few foals. One of them seemed to be trying to entice another to play, nipping at her rump and calling her out in a childish voice that she couldn't catch him. Sirana watched with mild interest, somewhat captured by the foal's antics but not enough to really get her involved in the situation.
She settled back to grazing, deciding that if the situation suddenly took a turn for the worst, she'd get involved. But for now, the foals could handle themselves under watch of the other full-grown horses. If anything, it was entertaining to watch them play, but Sirana decided she wanted to eat first and then deal with other matters later.
09-02-2017, 02:02 AM
Diable Rouge
>So often children find themselves getting into things they have never experienced before. Something so simple as a bunny hiding down his rabbit hole has filled Kaiode to the brim with curiosity. The child whinnied and reared playfully, calling for Solace to come look at the "thing" as he so called it. When she seemed uninterested (she was older still, she had probably experienced these creatures before), he decided he wanted to play tag. Children's games that Rou had never had the pleasure of doing as a colt, but that he enjoyed seeing Kaiode do. Childhood is the most critical in an equine's life - how they are raised and developed will be key into shaping them as beings. The chaser wanted to ensure that Kaiode had a fun one without outside worries or cares.
Tag just seemed to be a part of that.
From his spot in the grasses, Rou watches carefully. He does this often - Tangerine had enough to deal with, keeping herself fed to give three young ones the nutrition they required. So, again, he took the lead, watching them when she could not or if the twin's father was not around (Rou had yet to speak with their father, but he knew who he was and respected him). He was so focused on the children, he hardly notices yet another golden fleck off to his side. He glanced over to the stocky mare, who despite what other's may think, was a beautiful ray of sunshine on this late autumn day. She seemed content on grazing, and the stag did not want to bother her if she wished to graze in peace.
Instead, Rou found himself begin to frolic with the children, coming up behind his adoptive son and nudging him with his snout.
"If there's room for one more, I believe you are it now, come on Solace!" He smiled, and trotted away slowly to allow the child to catch up. Foals brought out a different, softer side of the rusty stallion, who enjoyed playing with them and having them around. On days they weren't with him, his mind stayed engulfed in the hurricane of emotions he so often felt...but with his son and Tang's twins, he felt as if he was in the eye of it.
He continued to glance at the golden fleck in the distance as he trotted away from Kaiode...he had not seen her before, at least he did not think he had. There were so many faces in Tephra, he hadn't the time to meet them all, especially now. He gave her a slight acknowledging nod, and smiled, then looked behind him to see if he was being "chased."
Tag just seemed to be a part of that.
From his spot in the grasses, Rou watches carefully. He does this often - Tangerine had enough to deal with, keeping herself fed to give three young ones the nutrition they required. So, again, he took the lead, watching them when she could not or if the twin's father was not around (Rou had yet to speak with their father, but he knew who he was and respected him). He was so focused on the children, he hardly notices yet another golden fleck off to his side. He glanced over to the stocky mare, who despite what other's may think, was a beautiful ray of sunshine on this late autumn day. She seemed content on grazing, and the stag did not want to bother her if she wished to graze in peace.
Instead, Rou found himself begin to frolic with the children, coming up behind his adoptive son and nudging him with his snout.
"If there's room for one more, I believe you are it now, come on Solace!" He smiled, and trotted away slowly to allow the child to catch up. Foals brought out a different, softer side of the rusty stallion, who enjoyed playing with them and having them around. On days they weren't with him, his mind stayed engulfed in the hurricane of emotions he so often felt...but with his son and Tang's twins, he felt as if he was in the eye of it.
He continued to glance at the golden fleck in the distance as he trotted away from Kaiode...he had not seen her before, at least he did not think he had. There were so many faces in Tephra, he hadn't the time to meet them all, especially now. He gave her a slight acknowledging nod, and smiled, then looked behind him to see if he was being "chased."
in the eye of a hurricane, there is quiet.
09-02-2017, 04:23 PM
Tangerine loved to tell stories to her children. The hot dusk was her favorite time - when their little bodies were exhausted and they lay in a heap, the twelve legs between them tangled together as if they needed each other for warmth. But today, it was early yet and the foals had lots of energy to burn and no time for stories.
She didn't think she would be a controlling mother but the little creatures had been much more accident prone than she anticipated. In a few weeks, when they were stronger and (hopefully) wiser, she would let them venture off alone more... but not yet. Diable Rouge had been a life saver when it came to looking after them. And even though she and the stallion spent much time in each others company she realized they did not know each other as well as they should - thanks to the wildness of the children.
Tangerine struggled to stay nourished while nursing three energetic children. She had lost the healthy plumpness she had from her pregnancy and already, the young mother was encouraging Solace and Svedka to graze between meals. But not Kaoide, she worried about him and whether his frail little body was getting enough from her. Tang was always trying to get her little ward to eat more it seemed, she wouldn't dare risk him starting on green food too early and growing weaker.
But today the little bay seems more energetic than normal and her biological son is demanding her attention. "Oh Rou, there he goes again." She sighs. Svedka had been trying to get Solace to chase him all morning, but she would have none of it. This morning she had it in her mind to start teaching Kaiode something or other and she wanted nothing to do with his rough housing. But it looks like he had finally grown bored of his twin as his pale form disappears into a clump of jungle far on the horizon. "Solace, don't boss Kaiode too much, he isn't much younger than you are and knows his own mind." Then she looks up to Rou's kind eyes and slightly lowers her voice. "I'm going to go make sure that one doesn't get it into his head to cross the channel." But her amusement is hard to hide because, in truth, she wouldn't mind taking her son on a little adventure.
But not today, not yet.
ooc - I will have a Solace reply up in a few min!
She didn't think she would be a controlling mother but the little creatures had been much more accident prone than she anticipated. In a few weeks, when they were stronger and (hopefully) wiser, she would let them venture off alone more... but not yet. Diable Rouge had been a life saver when it came to looking after them. And even though she and the stallion spent much time in each others company she realized they did not know each other as well as they should - thanks to the wildness of the children.
Tangerine struggled to stay nourished while nursing three energetic children. She had lost the healthy plumpness she had from her pregnancy and already, the young mother was encouraging Solace and Svedka to graze between meals. But not Kaoide, she worried about him and whether his frail little body was getting enough from her. Tang was always trying to get her little ward to eat more it seemed, she wouldn't dare risk him starting on green food too early and growing weaker.
But today the little bay seems more energetic than normal and her biological son is demanding her attention. "Oh Rou, there he goes again." She sighs. Svedka had been trying to get Solace to chase him all morning, but she would have none of it. This morning she had it in her mind to start teaching Kaiode something or other and she wanted nothing to do with his rough housing. But it looks like he had finally grown bored of his twin as his pale form disappears into a clump of jungle far on the horizon. "Solace, don't boss Kaiode too much, he isn't much younger than you are and knows his own mind." Then she looks up to Rou's kind eyes and slightly lowers her voice. "I'm going to go make sure that one doesn't get it into his head to cross the channel." But her amusement is hard to hide because, in truth, she wouldn't mind taking her son on a little adventure.
But not today, not yet.
ooc - I will have a Solace reply up in a few min!
09-02-2017, 05:11 PM
Solace had been very happy fulfilling her new role as Big Sister. To Svedka she was a Twin, an equal - a half of a whole. But to Koaide she was something else, a wise woman of the world who had information to help him grow into the fine stallion he would someday be. "This stuff is dried up lava, this stuff we are walking on, my dad told me. So see, lava is just really hot rock, REALLY hot, but when it cools down again it turns back to rock. When trees get really hot they turn to smoke and dust but when rocks get super hot they turn to liquid." She says as she follows a length or two behind the colt. But he doesn't seem to really hear her as he is distracted by a crab. "Yes, that is called a crab. They can pinch!" But she is the one who ends up with a pinch as he grows bored with her lessons and plants a nip on her rump, trying to lure her into a game of tag. His little trick works and despite her responsibility to teach him everything he needs to know (which she of course knows) it is difficult for her to turn down a good game of tag. She returns his giddy whiny and begins to chase him, stretching out her neck for the best trot she can manage on the uneven rocks. But his wobbly back legs seem to not be strong enough for this kind of challenge and her glee quickly turns to terror.
"Kaiode, slow down!" She yells at him, her voice rising in pitch with each word. But he seems to misinterpret her warning as a challenge and she feels dread twisting deep in her belly as he attempts to run even faster.
"Kaiode!" With disregard for her own fine legs, she leaps into a gallop over the hardened earth.
"Kaiode, slow down!" She yells at him, her voice rising in pitch with each word. But he seems to misinterpret her warning as a challenge and she feels dread twisting deep in her belly as he attempts to run even faster.
"Kaiode!" With disregard for her own fine legs, she leaps into a gallop over the hardened earth.
The auburn and ebony colt was so engrossed in his game he hadn't noticed the mare in the distance... Hadn't felt the nudge his father placed on his rump as he sped past him. He could hear the gleeful whiny of his sister and the patter of hooves behind him getting closer. His heels kicked up as went from the rocky terrain to a softer footing. The tropical brush line was just ahead. He giggles softy, "Let's see if you can find me Solace!" His words whispered under his breath, a determined crease to his brow.
He ducked under the broad leaves of the forest. His eyes scanning for a quick hiding spot as he still ran. Jumping over a fallen branch. A quick left around a medium size rock, then a sharp right behind a larger rock. It was the size of his father easily it was tall and wide with a semi-flat top. Hazel eyes darted about. He had never climbed a rock before but he'd give it a solid try. Places his hooves into slight dents in it's surface he lifted himself up. Quicker than he expected. Keeping his head low he crept to the edge of the boulder. A satisfied grin on his tiny muzzle as she finally came into view... Kaiode! KAIODE! Where are you?! We need to go back... She shouted. Another giggle almost escaped him but he held it at bay.
Watching her near until she was just a leap away. He gathered his hooves under him and prepared to jump. Her head turns to look back in the direction she had came. He takes that as the opportune moment and leaps with a loud, "Boo!"
With a sigh of relief, she watches as the frail colt steps on the softer ground, leaving behind the puckered bed of volcanic earth. Slowing back to a trot the little gold and white filly glances off to where her mother had disappeared to, wondering if she should venture into the jungle. But Kaiode has no such hesitations and she dutifully follows him into the cool of tropical forest with a shake of her head.
She calls for him, amazed at how quickly his dapple from had vanished in the shade. But when she sees him her heart trembles inside its cage. Her blue eyes flash wildly as she tilts her head back to look at her little brother atop the boulder his smile turns her blood cold.
"No," she breathes. "No!" Louder. But her words fall on tiny deaf ears as the colt launches himself from the height of the stone.
Her world slows down in a terrible way as if to not let her forget the most awful moment of her life. Her head grows light and her face tingles, she sees his flight with stark clarity. But this flight was not beautiful like her fathers, it was awful, it was deadly - unless there was something she could do to save him. With a voice that seems to be a rougher more terrible version of her when she screams his name, trying to position her own body below him to break his fall by a few feet. She stumbles over stones in her haste falling onto her pale white knees.
Somehow he is still in the air, but he is so close now, she reaches out for him with her muzzle trying to stand and slow his tumbling body in any way. She reaches with every fiber of her frame stretching to meet him - but it is not her muzzle which meets him and guides him to earth. A brilliant turquoise light fills her vision momentarily blinding her. The beam of light she unintentionally emits takes any energy she had left and like her adopted brother, she slides to the earth.
What she did not see was a beam of light originating from her own forehead to fill the gap that she could not otherwise close and knocking Kaiode's little frame into the bolder. But when she opens her bright blue eyes they are clouded with confusion, exhaustion, and pain.
"No," the filly moans befre wriggling closer to the dark crumpled frame. Not breath nor fluttering eyelid signal that life still clings to the small colt but she finds she can only stare, not willing to understand what has happened.
ooc: Kaiode has passed away. Solace is refusing to try and figure out if he is dead or not because she is 99% sure he is & doesn't want to know. His fall triggered her light beam emission which knocked him back into the boulder, worsening what would have still been a terrible fall.
She calls for him, amazed at how quickly his dapple from had vanished in the shade. But when she sees him her heart trembles inside its cage. Her blue eyes flash wildly as she tilts her head back to look at her little brother atop the boulder his smile turns her blood cold.
"No," she breathes. "No!" Louder. But her words fall on tiny deaf ears as the colt launches himself from the height of the stone.
Her world slows down in a terrible way as if to not let her forget the most awful moment of her life. Her head grows light and her face tingles, she sees his flight with stark clarity. But this flight was not beautiful like her fathers, it was awful, it was deadly - unless there was something she could do to save him. With a voice that seems to be a rougher more terrible version of her when she screams his name, trying to position her own body below him to break his fall by a few feet. She stumbles over stones in her haste falling onto her pale white knees.
Somehow he is still in the air, but he is so close now, she reaches out for him with her muzzle trying to stand and slow his tumbling body in any way. She reaches with every fiber of her frame stretching to meet him - but it is not her muzzle which meets him and guides him to earth. A brilliant turquoise light fills her vision momentarily blinding her. The beam of light she unintentionally emits takes any energy she had left and like her adopted brother, she slides to the earth.
What she did not see was a beam of light originating from her own forehead to fill the gap that she could not otherwise close and knocking Kaiode's little frame into the bolder. But when she opens her bright blue eyes they are clouded with confusion, exhaustion, and pain.
"No," the filly moans befre wriggling closer to the dark crumpled frame. Not breath nor fluttering eyelid signal that life still clings to the small colt but she finds she can only stare, not willing to understand what has happened.
ooc: Kaiode has passed away. Solace is refusing to try and figure out if he is dead or not because she is 99% sure he is & doesn't want to know. His fall triggered her light beam emission which knocked him back into the boulder, worsening what would have still been a terrible fall.
09-02-2017, 10:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-02-2017, 10:50 PM by Diable Rouge.)
Diable Rouge
>Death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes...
They have gone too far. He has not watched close enough.
He had been too distracted by the golden fleck in the distance, and he hadn't noticed Kaiode straying a little too far from the field, towards the rocks, his young mind unable to comprehend the consequences this could have. Diable Rouge notices the child about to leap, but cannot do anything in time. It all seems to happen in slow motion. Kaiode's legs curl underneath him, he shouts a childish "boo!" The rusted stallion feels his heart drop into his stomach, as his legs traverse the landscape at a speed he didn't think possible.
"Kaiode, no!" The child he had worked so hard to keep alive, was suddenly jumping right to his death...and he didn't even know it. Solace knows this too, and in a desperate attempt to save her "little brother," lets off her beam. It blinds Rou, but he does not stop running...not until he is there. He stumbles forward, breathless, helpless, screaming for it not to be true.
"No! Kaiode! Please god, no." The stallion moves himself in front of Solace, shielding her from the view of the small bay colt. He falls to his knees in front of the child...a child he had considered his own, that he would've done anything to protect. The light is gone from his eyes, his body motionless on the hard Tephran floor. Diable Rouge has felt this pain before...it washes over him like a hurricane: his mother's lifeless body flashes into his mind. Tears stream down his face uncontrollably, as he nudges the child in pathetic attempts to get him to wake up.
This isn't true...it can't be true.
There is no eye of the hurricane this time, only crashing waves destroying everything around him. His whole life, broken into a million pieces. The pain he feels undeniable and irrevocable; Kaiode is dead, and it is his fault.
"Solace...Solace please, go to your mother..." He is not trying to be mean, he is trying to protect her.
Death is inevitable, it does not discriminate. However, this doesn't make it any easier on the living, who now deal with its aftermath. Rou feels this deep in his chest, a feeling he cannot control. He wants to be strong, but he cannot take it - not this death, not this time. The tears roll hard and fast down his cheeks, and he lays his head onto Kaiode's stomach, wishing the world would take him instead.
They have gone too far. He has not watched close enough.
He had been too distracted by the golden fleck in the distance, and he hadn't noticed Kaiode straying a little too far from the field, towards the rocks, his young mind unable to comprehend the consequences this could have. Diable Rouge notices the child about to leap, but cannot do anything in time. It all seems to happen in slow motion. Kaiode's legs curl underneath him, he shouts a childish "boo!" The rusted stallion feels his heart drop into his stomach, as his legs traverse the landscape at a speed he didn't think possible.
"Kaiode, no!" The child he had worked so hard to keep alive, was suddenly jumping right to his death...and he didn't even know it. Solace knows this too, and in a desperate attempt to save her "little brother," lets off her beam. It blinds Rou, but he does not stop running...not until he is there. He stumbles forward, breathless, helpless, screaming for it not to be true.
"No! Kaiode! Please god, no." The stallion moves himself in front of Solace, shielding her from the view of the small bay colt. He falls to his knees in front of the child...a child he had considered his own, that he would've done anything to protect. The light is gone from his eyes, his body motionless on the hard Tephran floor. Diable Rouge has felt this pain before...it washes over him like a hurricane: his mother's lifeless body flashes into his mind. Tears stream down his face uncontrollably, as he nudges the child in pathetic attempts to get him to wake up.
This isn't true...it can't be true.
There is no eye of the hurricane this time, only crashing waves destroying everything around him. His whole life, broken into a million pieces. The pain he feels undeniable and irrevocable; Kaiode is dead, and it is his fault.
"Solace...Solace please, go to your mother..." He is not trying to be mean, he is trying to protect her.
Death is inevitable, it does not discriminate. However, this doesn't make it any easier on the living, who now deal with its aftermath. Rou feels this deep in his chest, a feeling he cannot control. He wants to be strong, but he cannot take it - not this death, not this time. The tears roll hard and fast down his cheeks, and he lays his head onto Kaiode's stomach, wishing the world would take him instead.
in the eye of a hurricane, there is quiet.
