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Assailant -- Year 226
"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
i feel a bad moon rising | territory meeting
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12-05-2019, 03:09 PM
12-05-2019, 08:59 PM
Somber, that is how Elio describes himself today. That is a word he just learned from eavesdropping on a pair of adults discussing their passed family. He had picked up that term from context clues and then quietly sent them just an inkling peace.
12-06-2019, 03:42 PM
no one really knows what the ocean hides and I'll be next to you when the lights go out Reia
12-08-2019, 10:30 AM
12-09-2019, 08:41 PM
He knew this was coming, but he of course dreaded the day it would actually happen, and if only because he had to stand there and accept it despite the anger he would feel. He would keep himself, his nature, in check. Only a select few in his life had the privilege to know of his gift now; only they would get to see what it could change him into.
Aten was grazing with his family in one of their secluded glens in Taiga's western lands. When Lepis' call rang up through the redwoods, summoning the land's residents, Aten sighed and gathered his family together. With Lethia by his side, and their foals that were there accompanying them, they headed to the main meadow in Taiga's heartland. The walk was calm, even with the anxiety Aten felt building within. Kalil was happy to play with Orion and Ruth as they walked along, the yearling still a bouncing colt full of energy despite the sometimes calm demeanor he exhibited like his sire. Aten was happy to see his son, as well as his siblings, having the chance to interact and play like this, for it gave them the foal hood he so desperately wished they could experience due to his own lack of one. Aten and his family arrived after the majority of Lepis' here in Taiga did. By the time they showed up, Lepis herself, along with Pteron, and Reia are there too. Aten also spotted Celina emerge from the wood and walk towards her family, though the filly seemed rather reluctant to do so. Unaware of the turmoil bubbling in their circle, since he didn't want to be bothered by business that wasn't his, the stallion showed no emotion for the family ahead of his own. Though still in a playful mood, Kalil and the others calmed some, as if sensing the tense aura in the air. They stayed close to the two adults, Kalil pressing himself between his two parents, feeling comfort there, but also trying to stay close to Orion and Ruth. Upon arrival of other horses, Lepis seemed to have decided that was enough. She stands forward to speak to Taiga's residents, introducing Pteron first. The young colt stepped forward at his name, looking full of himself as Lepis stated she had made the colt her chosen heir. Aten could feel his nature stir, but he forced it down, reminding himself of the conversation he had with Lepis a few suns prior to today, and knowing he would still be here to protect Taiga, he could not make any negative moves if only to protect his loved ones. Pteron had a few words, speaking of his time training and the friendships he had. Apparently, his wife, Reia, had also agreed to stay and rule Taiga with him, to raise their foal together and for Pteron to lead. Aten found it almost ironic. Lepis states that she hopes the Taigans will accept Pteron as their ruler following her departure to Loess in a few suns, and Aten had more than a few choice words. Kalil, almost sensing his sire's emotion, stepped up to look into Aten's eyes. The yearling idolized his sire, thinking of him as a great leader, and he'd heard from his dam how his sire had at one point led this very kingdom himself. Aten knew what his colt was going to ask, and quickly shook his head to silence the words on Kalil's lips, not wanting him to speak before thinking. The yearling's eyes grew dark, but when he saw the look on his sire's face, he stepped back and moved closer to his siblings to be out of the firing line. Aten decided to be the first of the Taigans outside Lepis' family to speak. It took every ounce of self control he had to speak without a trace of venom on his tongue, and, eventually, he got his words out while maintaining a steady voice. "You have done good for Taiga, Lepis, and while there are some of us that are no doubt sad to see you depart, we will respect your decision, and can hope that your son will lead us in a manner befitting Taiga's glory." @[Izora Lethia] @[Orion] @[Owin] @[Lepis] @[Pteron] A sound like thunder rolls across the Taigan forest, makes the ground shudder and the trees quake. Thunder is common enough in the summer, but the day is bright and shining, the sun rising higher overhead in the small clearing where the residents of Taiga gather. Where most of them meet. Popinjay is not there. She has been flying all night, flying since sometime after midday yesterday when, she believes, she died and became an enormous bird. She has been coasting on thermals half in a panic, half delighted. Being a bird is better than being dead, but it was awfully unexpected, and she has never seen a bird as large as a dragon. Neither, it would seem, have the vultures that share the thermals, they veer away from her wary and wild, and the ravens simply follow her, cursing - at least, she thinks they are cursing. Becoming a bird has not given her the ability to speak with them, which she finds considerably disappointing. She wonders if the Fairies are laughing at her on their mountain top as she veers to one side, angling sharply away, and thrusts herself forward in the air with a sweep of her wings. The air breaks around them and sounds like thunder. Travel in this way is simple, the distance is nothing for her, a blink, and it is not long before the young... raptor is circling above her redwood forest, but the trouble that has kept her aloft all night finds her here, too. She cannot outrun it, though she wheels and dives, her shadow massive as it flutters across the tree tops. If anything, coming home has made things so much worse. She still doesn't know how to land. And not only does she not know how, she does not know where to do it. Although gliding along on the thermals reserves massive amounts of energy, her shock and her inexperience use it up almost as quickly. Popinay is growing weary fast, her wings ache and her lungs burn until even her skeleton feels like it is on fire. Her muscles are beginning to betray her. The angry twitch of a muscle lifts feathers she hadn't meant to move and her trajectory changes abruptly, cartwheeling sharply upwards before slingshotting down again. The great black and red bird falls, spinning and descending so fast that her wings are pinned to her sides. It is dizzying and dazzling and for a moment she forgets to fight against it, but through the clear eyelid that protects her eyes as she falls, she suddenly takes note of the horses below her. Few are strangers to her, though some are more well known to her than others. Poppy fans her tail and her rotation changes just enough that broad, red-striped, wings can unfurl, but it's too little, too late. And then she crashes. The noise is horrendous, earth-shaking. She lands in the middle of the clearing, in the middle of their meeting, a tumult of feathers and sharp claws, tumbling and tearing at the earth. The raptor rolls violently, wings flapping uselessly as her momentum throws her from one end of the clearing to the other, scattering the horses. There is no hint of control in her rolling, and her thrashing is equally dangerous to tree and horse. A large larch tree breaks across her back, adding its remains to the body count. When at last she stops, when at last the earth grows still and the clearing quiet, she is propped upside-down by two stubbornly-rooted redwoods, her claws in tights fists, each full of grass and rock and the left one grasping a sapling pulled up by its roots. The small meadow has grown significantly, its beauty marred by the wide swath of her destruction. Her breath is quick, shallow, panting, as she watches her fellow Taigans peer out again from the places they fled to - if they fled and she did not simply crush them. Popinjay laughs, but her voice is so different, a high, breathy trill, and she cannot make her beak form words. It does not occur to her that they will not recognize her in this shape. Popinjay She was not quite what you would call refined
12-10-2019, 12:44 AM
He had wandered into the clearing trailing his family. Where once gangly legs protruded from his body now stood strong, worked, secure legs. His body had been all sharp angles, and unflattering edges now it was wrapped in muscle and age. Though growing he was now more gentle and thoughtful as ever, he was not easily provoked - unless your name was Poppy, her untimely antics always pushing just the right button. His mind was sharp, able to differentiate between individual minds more fluidly and accurately. His mind wandered through the gathered group as he listened to the adults talk. His brow furrowed as his mothers sadness crept through his mind. He watched her silently with soft blue-amethyst eyes as she left the meeting with out a single word. It didn't take long for his eyes to drift skyward moments before the his sisters giant, transformed body invaded the opening above. The winged creature blocked the sun, throwing scattered shadows across the small clearing. Others dashed for safety as she came tumbling in like a freaking natural disaster. His eyes rolled as he watched her not so graceful landing against the large redwoods. Owin huffed as he began his way across the clearing to stand infront of his rather large bird sister. He cocked his head, dipping his neck so that they were eye to eye. You always have the most memorable entrances. he stared for a moment before talking in hushed tones, Lepis has names Pteron her heir, not Aten. She will be going back to Loess soon, and he and his wife are staying to rule and raise their children here. he glanced at Aten and then to the center of the meadow where the trio stood. None of this is funny, so if you could just pull yourself together for a moment that would be great. Owin feelings are too loud for words and too shy for the world
12-14-2019, 01:49 PM
The branches above her head are intertwined like cathedral arches. Few sunbeams can reach the forest floor but those that can drift down in beautiful silence. It casts shadows against the leafy ferns and paints the redwoods in several shades of auburn. The golden rays that reach her down here allow warmth to blossom in her chest as the light embraces her crimson pelt; Taiga, for all its fog and forgotten places, can be an achingly lovely place. Those tall trees might seem imposing to some, the mists impossible to navigate for others but these little coves and knolls, these hidden places that lay in wait have embedded themselves in that dreaming heart of hers. Lilliana walks through the sun rays and has a rare moment of peace. It isn't unusual for the air to be absent of birdsong. It isn't unusual for the forest to lull her soul as it does now - as the quiet wraps around the trees and the copper woman. It settles with Lilli for company and she doesn't mind. (Taiga and the chestnut mare have long made their peace with each other.) She could spend her afternoon here easily. The humidity is made bearable by the salt air and there is a loveliness in watching the fog evaporate, as it becomes enveloped by light. Pale shades of silver and gold dance together in ways reminiscent of lingering dreams and Lilliana feels a smile curve against her dark mouth as she looks up - the Taiga is waking. And then the forest does come to life. A cry rings through her sanctuary and Lilli turns her head to the direction that is has come from. That coming smile turns into a thoughtful line and the expression that dawns could be considered conflicted as thoughts turn over in her mind. (She doesn't want to go.) How easy would it be to stay here and ignore that call? Could she ignore it? That is an easier question and an even easier answer. No. Serenity gives way to disharmony as a battle rages in Lilliana's chest - it tightens in angry protest. The Diplomat sets herself apart from those that had gathered and settles between two younger evergreens for company. They offer her shady companionship and Lilliana is content to let herself fade in the background; where Lepis and her family stand, they command all her attention anyway. The Comtesse comes forward and starts to speak, unraveling a new future for Taiga. She announces that Pteron will be the heir for the northern forest which isn't so shocking - dynasties and lineages tied to places, lives that bleed into the soft ground they stand on, is something that is not unknown to her. Her expression is contemplative and her ears prick forward as she continues to listen. Lepis is.. leaving? Her throat is closing and suddenly, the trees creep closer. The two that she stands beneath suddenly feel as if they are looming, ready to cast judgment instead of shadows. Oh, Gods. There isn't enough air in her lungs. (They are on fire. They burn in their want for more, in their demand that she needs more space. That she needs to get away.) A deep breath does nothing to alleviate the guilt that pushes against her ribs. Lilliana steps forward but she can't bring herself to look at Lepis; she should, she knows. Protocol and etiquette demand it of her but that vice around her throat threatens to close again. There is so much happening here, in this moment, that it all blurs together. There is a pulse echoing between her ears - run, run, run - that is incessantly pushing her towards a void that she has succeeded in avoiding until this moment. Aten is speaking. An ear is kept in his direction as Lilliana slips towards where the royals stand, coming close enough that they can hear her. How she is able to find a steady word (how she even formulates a thought is beyond her), she doesn't know. But where Aten leads, she will follow. "Pteron," the Diplomat says with a respectful dip of her head towards him, "I look forward to working with you in serving the Taiga." Lilli smiles graciously and then looks to the pregnant woman at his side, his wife. (Does she serve as their shackle or their protection?) "And welcome Reia." This is all she can do. The roar is back in her mind and there are only moments before her composure cracks - before everything comes crashing down. Lilliana gives a fleeting look to Lepis - a glance that flashes several emotions. The chestnut mare turns to follow Lethia and her children, ready to do whatever she needs to soften the hard lines she saw forming on the buckskin's face. but it's all in the past, love
it's all gone with the wind | ||
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