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    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


    Into The Night - Any, Amorette(?)
    #1
    His eyes fluttered. Once, twice. A beautiful dream, like so many others he'd experienced. A pale pink sunrise peered over the rocky landscape, painting it in a perfect rosy palette. The pool he'd claimed as his own sparkled and rippled in the early morning breeze, steaming lightly. His shadow stretched beside him, long in the first light of day. He watched it carefully, noted the frail spire that rose from his shadow's head. A strange feeling inched up his spine. He snorted, harsh breath forced from his lungs. Tossed his head, watched the shadow mimic him perfectly. Okay...?

    A stunted bush grew near the steaming pool, liberally dusted with thorns as long as his canines. Holding a breath, he hurried towards it, and sat down before he had a chance to reconsider. With a shrill scream, he leapt back up in pain from the dozen new punctures in his thigh. A flavor of panic beat in his head, he had to force air back into his chest. In and out, in and out... Shaking slightly, he turned back to the pool, eyes clamped shut. Jaw clenched, he willed himself to look. And he did. In the slightly uneven surface of the water, he saw his own face. It was slightly distorted by the breeze, but it was undeniably his face staring back at him. After the initial shock, his lip curled in mild distaste. Fuck, he'd let himself go this last year.

    His mane was a knotted mess, dust and grime made a patchwork of his once-flawless coat. He knew his tail wouldn't look any better than his mane. Looking up from the water, he glanced back over himself. His heart broke a little, taking in the scars the marred his shoulder, the fresh blood staining his leg. Looking back to the pool, he stared hungrily at his own face, trying to remember who he really was. And then he noted the brilliant shine radiating from his forehead. For all his ruffled appearance, this was a single point of real beauty. From the point between his eyes spiraled a perfect horn. It was translucent, clear material streaked through with amber-gold. So this was his compensation. A year of blindness, for a horn of crystal.

    Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes, blurring his newly restored vision. He could see, as perfectly as anyone could wish to. It was wonderful and beautiful, and now he could see the land he'd become blindly accustomed to. It was rugged and rocky and lovely in the dark greens that swathed it. It was always warm, and he could now see why. Volcanic mountains rose from the sea, outlined against the morning light. They smoked a bit, betraying their volatile nature.  A slow smile grew on his lips. He needed to find Amorette.
    #2

    Emotions flood her as once more she is ruffled between blank pages.  She attempts to rise but her legs grew weak.  Feeling the enveloped embrace of her wings she knows who she is again, what she is.  Gone was the human form and slowly slipping from memory were human troubles she had endured.  The death, wounds, hatred, all fading as if it hadn't happened.

    Then she is falling...

    Screams are silenced by the pressure of gravity as her body spirals downward.  This time though, her body does not scrape against stone walls.  Hooves do not slide against rock to attempt to slow her descent.  She simply falls.  Like in a dream, which ends in her eyes jerking open.  A gasp of breath inhaled sharply as she finds herself surrounded by sights of familiarity.  The brisks patter of her heart continues for a moment more before it begins to level.  She finds herself laying in a bed of dust and rock just at the base of the volcanic mountain.  "W..what happened...?" Confusion clouds her mind as she asks a question to no one.  Finding herself alone and hurting.  There was a pounding in her head that she only assumes she acquired by hitting it on something.  As soon as she thinks of the hurt it begins to subside.  

    Not paying it anymore mind, she rises off the ground.  Shaking briskly as dust plums around her.  Golden eyes look to the mess littered about her hide and feathers.  She needed water and quickly.  Cream dipped limbs hurry across the terrain.  Leaping over streams of lava as she navigates towards a small pond not far away.  

    When it comes into view she can't help but notice a gold stallion lingering at it's banks.  He seems to be looking into the reflective surface.  She slows to a stop, considering to find another pond and leave the stranger be.  That's when she feels something tugging inside her.  An instinct that something may be wrong.  It was stronger than ever before and her face softens as she draws nearer.  A quiet hello escaping her cream-laced lips.  Stepping to stand beside the stallion, her eyes kind, "Are you ok?" His body is caked in mud and dried blood.  An almost equal image of her own but her own problems are lost to her in that moment...  

    AuroraElis

    Not all that Glitters is Gold



    @[Bragi]
    #3

    Lately she’d kept most to herself. Once again the volcano and her many caves offered her shelter and seclusion. Basically it had only been Krytpic who she accepted near, the still growing colt had a soft part in her heart. And he was getting big. His wings didn’t look too big for his body anymore and although he currently wasn’t in the most charming state of life, Amorette already knows he would grow up to be a looker. On the down side of it, he was more independent now too, he didn’t need her supervision and presence anymore. She’d hate to admit it, but she was sad he didn’t. She wasn’t ready yet to let him stand on his own, she needed him for her own sanity.

    After all, he was one of the few who hadn’t failed to hurt her. Warrick had, in his own way, shown that he didn’t trust her. Levi had left without a word, and all that what happened with Karaugh still stood as a wall between them. That she had gone back to hiding in and on the volcano probably didn’t really help with her feelings either.

    She’d come out of hiding in search of her adopted son. Though Amore thinks of Kryptic as her son, she has yet to call him such. Most of the time she called his name, of fondly called him ‘little one’, even if he isn’t so little anymore.

    Her hiding spot happens to not be far from the heated pool near the base of the volcano. A dusty trail tells her that someone else had walked this path only a little earlier and really without anything else in mind, the ebony woman decides to follow. When the pond comes into view, she spots both of them right away. Bragi she immediately recognizes, but the peacock winged mare is someone she only knows from seeing her around.

    As she nears she discovers them both covered with a layer of dust, even some mud sticking to their coats, but what concerns her the most is Bragi’s tense posture and the blood gently trickling down his leg. ”Bragi?” she calls him, making sure that he hears her coming from afar before suddenly popping up besides the blind stallion. With her head she nods to the liver chestnut mare, not ignoring her presence, but naturally focussed on and worried for her friend – and patient. ”Are you okay, what happened?” she asks, concern in her eyes as she studies his face. It is only then that she realises that his eyes don’t stare into nothingness. ”Bragi!” she exclaims loudly, both her ears now forward as she moves further into the warm water so she can face him. ”Can you see me?!”

    Amorette

    Quand on n'a que l'amour.

    #4
    His self assessment is interrupted by a soft voice, one he does not recognize. Relishing the chance to look at someone new, to see them, he looks up and over at the approaching mare. She is lovely, for all that she's nearly as coated in dirt as he is. A cape of blue-gold-green feathers cascades from her back, wings such as he's never seen before. But it is the bone-deep weariness etched into her face that he notices the most. It's the same expression he knows he's worn for the last year. Deep pain, harsh knowledge. A taste of the darkest of hells. He's more familiar with that expression than he'd like to be.

    "I'm fine, truly. Better than fine, as of this morning. And you?" He asked, leaving it to her to decide what to share, or not share. Only shortly after this exchange does another appear over the low rise. She is outlined by the rising sun at first; a haloed silhouette against the pure blue sky. His eyes tear again, reacting to the unaccustomed brightness the day was bringing. Blinking them clear again, his face jerks back to the approaching figure as he hears her speak his name. Bragi? It is then he recognizes her. Amorette. Balm to his blistered soul, patient healer, the light in his year of darkness. She has come close enough that he is not looking into the sun to see her, but it hardly matters. The ever-present care in her steps, so that he knows it's her approaching. The deep concern she expresses for him even as she acknowledges the ragged newcomer. Words catch in his throat as she sees him look at her, and really see what's before him. For an infinite moment, he cannot respond. The gold-and-pale stallion just stares, as though to memorize every plane and dip of her, the exact deep color of her hair and eyes. As if she'll vanish the moment he looks away.

    "I knew you'd be beautiful."

    Every discomfort in his body fades as he waits for her response. And then returns with an embarrassed flare as he recalls just how filthy he is. She's looked on him this whole time, never making him aware of the state of his appearance. Not that he would have cared, then. Most days had been a success when he could get through them still desiring to continue living, let alone groom himself. It then registered how careworn she looked. As though life was not panning out how she'd hoped it would. He wanted nothing more than to erase the lines of worry from her brow. To bring a smile to her perfect lips, no matter the cost to his own dignity. And that, was not a common emotion for the prideful man.

    @[AuroraElis] @[Amorette]
    #5

    Golden eyes meet his gaze and it is unwavering.  Like it is something new and grand.  He affirms that he is ok, better even and she can't help but radiate a warmth of happiness.  His inquiry of her own well-being is met with a smile, "Actually..." She pauses in thought, "I feel different.  In a good way." Her carmel and cream profile turns to the body of water before them.  A smile still kissed her lips.  Without hesitation she steps forward.  Submerging herself in the cool aqua.  Ridding her body of the blood and dirt caked to her petite frame.  The feathers that hung loosely at her sides begin to fan out on the waters surface.  Creating a brilliant display of colors.

    That's when her eye catches his gaze into the horizon.  A dark figure looming nearer.  She stops to watch, hoping it is perhaps her love.  When the strangers voice calls out it is much to delicate to be Rou.  Her heart sinks slightly.  The changing of seasons had confirmed to her she had been gone much too long.  That day she had left Rou and Wound in the meadow to go find their son had turned into a fight for her life.  Sucked into the depths of some mad hell, then spit out again with only distant memories.  They mattered little now.  Now she must wash herself of the past and find her family. 

    Her mind was lost to her thoughts and when it returns she finds the pair in good company.  Her usual smile chases away any worry that may have strained her.  Beginning her exit of the pond, she chooses to swing wide of the pair who were engrossed in reunion.  Climbing back onto dry land, she shakes loose droplets of water that clung to her flesh and feather alike.  Bringing her gown to rest again along her back and draping down her sides. Bright eyes and soft smile find the couple with a nod of her head.  Excusing herself before continuing on her way...

    AuroraElis

    Not all that Glitters is Gold

    #6

    His silence worries her. Something was definitely off, the blood on his leg told her as much and honestly, he had looked better before. And yet, something was clearly better, but with still some distance between them makes it hard to tell. Well, that is until their gazes lock. After the words leave her mouth, Amorette finds herself just as speechless as the buckskin stallion. How? How was this possible? What deity had taken pity on him and granted such a miracle to happen? The question lies on her tongue, but he beats her to it.

    Her dark eyes meet his as she blinks a couple of times, then she glances away flustered. Out of all things he could’ve said, he uses his first words to compliment her on her beauty? Not that Amorette is complaining, but she is definitely surprised. And secretly it actually is nice to hear such thing from a man.

    When she looks back at him to meet his gaze again, she notices how the peacock winged mare takes her leave, allowing them to get better acquainted. Amore dips her head in return, an apologetic smile upon her dark lips, and she mentally notes to herself to seek out AuroraElis sometime in the near future. But for now, it is just her and Bragi. ”H-how..? What happened?” she asks him, slowly reaching her muzzle out towards him.

    It was a strange thing. Though she had touched him more than once, and he had walked closely beside her as she had brought him to a safe place, offering him her nose to exchange scents is suddenly so intimate. Different, too, and right at the same time. They might have had a rocky start, but Amore surely counted the golden stallion as one of her friends. One she hadn’t nearly given as much of her attention and care as she should have.

    ”You need some help with that?” This time, she makes sure to ask, instead of surprising and shocking them both with an unplanned healing session.

    Amorette

    Quand on n'a que l'amour.

    #7
    A flicker of guilt passes across his mind as his attention is consumed by Amorette's presence. Vauguely he is aware, of the peacock plumed lady restoring herself in his pool. He smiles towards her as she cuts away, looking better than she had a few minutes ago. Baths were wonderful inventions. His mind was not distracted long, however, and returned gaze to the ebony woman before him. He half-grinned at the play of expressions that danced over her features, mirroring the emotions he'd gone through a bit earlier. Perhaps he should feel embarrassed that his reflexive words had persuaded the paler stranger to leave, but he couldn't quite bring himself to regret it. It meant that he could speak to Amorette without interruption. She was flustered, clearly. He stood quietly, letting her get her bearings back. When at last her stuttered questions came forth, his smile slipped a degree.

    "I don't know. I woke up and could see. I didn't believe it, at first." He admitted, glancing at his damaged flank. That pain had certainly convinced him that he at least wasn't dreaming. He greets her as she offers her nose, brushing the pink skin of his nose ever so slightly against the inky darkness of hers. An electric jolt struck at his gut, the whole day becoming overwhelming and it had only just begun. Her practical nature shone through the confusion though, reminding him once more of the stinging punctures on his thigh.

    His jaw tightened with sudden apprehension. While he could not deny the usefulness of her skills, fire was still a thing he did not like or trust. It was also the unfortunate vessel of her healing gift. Ears tipped just slightly back, he looked away. "Oh, probably... " He responded, sounding less than happy about it. With a sigh he turned back to her, gaze uncertain but determined. "Yes, alright then. Do what you must." He requested, being sure to shut his eyes before anything else happened. Better this than to contact some rotting sickness, but he still had to school his heartrate into something less resembling a gallop.

    @[Amorette]
    #8

    His explanation doesn’t clear the questions, but supposedly he doesn’t have them either. She decides it is a miracle, that the fairies have granted him a great gift for the courage he had shown. Amorette cannot imagine what it is like to suddenly go blind, but she is proud of how Bragi had since carried himself. Not only had he accepted his blindness, but he had tried to make the best of life, instead of allowing himself to be depressed. No, Bragi had thrived. And Amorette cannot be happier for him that life is this kind to him. ”It’s amazing, Bragi!” the ebony woman tells him with a wide smile, unable to fully express how happy she is for him.

    It is a new one to exchange scents with Bragi in this way. Honestly, she did it all the time. With Warrick, with Levi, even upon meeting new faces. But this is so very different. They had known each other for quite a while, but this was something new, something special as they reform their friendship in ways that had previously been impossible.

    But not all changes, she realises with a grin. ”You were man enough to hurt yourself, now suck it up and deal with this” she teases him, taking a step closer to bump her muzzle against his shoulder almost playfully. Amorette is unable to not chuckle, noticing his closed eyes, and although she mentally calls him ‘crybaby’ in her mind, she doesn’t speak the words out loud.

    Closing the last distance between them she does not hesitate to push her muzzle up his flank. The wounds don’t look too severe now she can study them up close. Quite a few, but none of them really deep. This shouldn’t be too hard, especially not since Amore was getting better and better at healing.

    The fire burns brightly, and smoke rises from the wounds. It was a shame that she wasn’t able to remove the smell of burned flesh and hair from the process, but alas, it is there, and there is nothings he can do about it. Just as quickly as it had come the fire disappears, leaving perfectly healed pink skin behind. With time Bragi’s golden coat would cover the small spots again, and all signs of the previous injury long gone. ”See, that wasn’t too bad, was it? You’re all done now” she tells them while stepping back.

    Amorette

    Quand on n'a que l'amour.





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