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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


    sunshine, won't you be my mother? || ALL
    #1
    Exclamation 
    like the sun swallowed up by the earth
    Much has happened.

    Karaugh’s release of her sentence, the remnants of her seen only by her daughter and son, Kolera and Kryptic. Tangerine’s presence has finally graced Tephra once again, and the bay Overseer is now at peace in even the most chaotic of times with her by his side. The new children far outnumber many of the adults (a scene that Warrick is more than happy to see), and many old faces have returned to stay among the smoke and salt of Tephra’s volcano, as well as new faces from the field or other kingdoms. His daughter, Solace, has taken the helm in Hyaline (he beams at the thought, and pride swells in his chest), solidifying an already strong alliance between the sanctuary and Tephra’s kingdom. He knows Wound will visit the sanctuary soon, to make sure Hyaline continues to run peacefully, and to also check in on his firstborn daughter and son.

    New life flourishes within the volcano’s watchful gaze, and it seems to burn brighter with the amount of sheer joy and peace that seems to radiate from each of her residents.

    As Warrick calls them to gather, it is not with the solemnity that he had met them before - when Ellyse had turned over the crown to him, and he stood beneath their respectful stares with uncertainty and concern. He is bold and ripe with life, fueled by the birth of his new child as well as Tangerine’s constant guide and wild spirit to soothe him in his time of need. Longclaw has done more than Warrick had expected and brought him a guard to ensure Tephra’s safety, as well as remain a constant figure of strength to the other realms that border them to the south and the west.

    “Family,” he begins, once they have encircled him. He does not stand at a precipice to be gazed upon while he looks down on them, but merely walks through them as he begins to speak, meeting noses with his closest and dearest, while giving respectful nods to those who have earned his trust and have only just recently had begun their life here in the tropical land. “We have grown immensely in strength and number - our days our fruitful and our nights are peaceful.” He is smiling, a glow on his auburn face as he walks between them, gently huffing into the cropped manes of the youngest children, Kryptic and his own Wishbone. “We are under the watchful eye of Longclaw’s guard, and he has done his duty to protect all of us. Thanks to Wound and Amorette, many new and bold faces have found shelter within our land. Welcome them as Tephra has welcomed you.”

    “Amorette and I are to venture to Sylva soon to solidify a possible alliance. Sylva is the closest to us by land - Ellyse and Dahmer no longer are with us, so a meeting is in order.” He pauses, a frown finding his face at the rumors of their disappearance, and who he would meet in his coming visit. “Ischia is our closest by sea - sealing an alliance with the residents there will ensure us no attacks from our borders, for the time being. Is there anyone willing to travel there - by flight, or by water?”

    “Come winter,” he begins again after a long pause, halting and lifting his head stoicly. “All the kingdoms will participate together in a friendly battle. It will be the perfect opportunity to prove to the new leaders around us that Tephra is as strong and resilient as she appears to be, and that being our friend will be more beneficial than being our foe. I will compete, but I must not go alone. Will anyone volunteer to join me?”

    He is finished, and with a wide sweep of his head to meet the eyes of each and every one of them, he tells them:

    “Go in peace, my friends.”
    Warrick


    [OOC] This also counts not only as sign ups for being Tephra's champion, but also as a February activity check! Please reply IC, cause Warrick loves seeing all of you! He is looking for someone to take up the General position as well as Ambassador this month, just a heads up for all of those interested! If you have concerns or questions for Warrick, just state in your IC post that you want to talk to him and he'll respond to thread with you <3333 LOVE YOU ALL LONG TIME!
    #2


    Voices. They caught the wind (picking up every once and a while, bringing with it a nip of chill) and wove their way around Saedís long, slender legs, winding up the satiny black that faded to storm grey, to dappled silver, to bone white, until they met her ears. With a soft huff, Saedís turned her pretty head, and the young mare was in motion.

    Her steps were springy, bubbly, and bouncing with youth. Her gait was fluid, dance like, but elevated due to the spark of spirit brought to her by the sea-salt in the air. Bright eyes peering beneath a long glitter-white forelock, she found the source of the unfamiliar voices until she could make out the words. It was an unusual gathering. A winged stallion of unusual color appeared the center of their attention. Majestic, magnificent, noble. He captivated her, caused Saedís to draw in a breath of crisp air. From his words, she gathered he must be the one her friend, Wound, had spoken so highly off. Warrick.

    Saedís tipped her head, watching, watching, as the scene unfolded. There are others who linger as she does, on the outskirts of the meeting – with the indecision of newcomers in their eye. Saedís – with her wanderer-soul had taken some time getting used to Tephra as her home, her eyes had admired the great volcano in the distance, until the smell of fire and brimstone made her turn away again to her beloved sea. For her heart is a gull-heart, and to the sea´s edge she has always longed to return. This, and her two newfound friends is what has made her decide to give Tephra a chance. She wonders if there are others like her, with the same sea-longing in their eyes; other children of water left parched upon the earth.

    Perhaps it was this that made her finally approach.

    ”Hello” she offered as she approached, a warm, soft smile written across her face. The starshine mare stopped only once she was in their midst.  ”I am Saedís – new to Tephra. Wound brought me here.”

    She seeks the eyes of the winged stallion, imploring him with her own gaze.

    ”I would like to offer up to help with the diplomatic tasks of your kingdom.”

    It was really all she had to offer – for to anyone who laid eyes upon the soft stretch of ethereal starshine and innocence of her face – it is unquestionably clear that Saedís will never belong on a battlefield.
    #3
    A
    lthough the current peace in Beqanna is well-received, Wound cannot help but wonder if this is the calm before the storm. Tephra’s borders are swollen with new life while the world past their island sings a soft tune. She has only spent a year among the throng of Beqanna’s active life (the first six had been spent under the protection of her gang of brothers, and the other two years wandering independently), but Wound knows already that the politics of their homeland are frequent to unexpected shifts.

    She is grateful, nonetheless, for Warrick’s call that rides on the summer breeze. Wound has spent the majority of the day with her daughter, dancing among lava streams and chasing each other through grassy hills. They are playing a game with the waves when the sound of Wishbone’s father reaches their ears, faint against the shout of the ocean.

    “Wishbone, there’s an important meeting we must go to.” Her wild daughter tousles in the waves a moment later, caught up in the disregard a child in a moment of joy often has. But Wound is quick to correct Wishbone regardless, and soon they are making their way to the gathering.

    Wound weaves between the gathered with a sunny smile on her face, allowing Wishbone to run off to tease and wrestle with the other children of Tephra. The silver bay especially greets those she has brought in from the Field’s foreign clearings — Saedis and Enniska and Epithet and Raewen — if they show their faces. Wound can remember her own first meeting clearly and the swirls of doubt and nervousness that chilled her insides.

    She ends up settling among the throng, watching Warrick as he moves between the crowd and speaks as a friend. Her heart swells with affection as the stallion touches his dark nose against Wishbone’s mane and their daughter nips playfully at his shoulder in a genuine, loving reaction. Her attention turns back to his words as Warrick speaks of their alliances and the upcoming friendly battle.

    She has no desire — nor the physical skill — to tousle with other warriors of opposing kingdoms. Wound would much prefer to travel between the kingdoms peacefully and offer comfortable relations between borders and thrones. In fact, Wound plans to leave for Hyaline in the next morning with Wishbone in tow, to strengthen the alliance and see how the other kingdom is faring.

    She waits for their Overseer to finish his piece before approaching him personally, silver forelock tossed between coffee brown eyes. Her limp is less apparent today, with the heat of summer warming her joints, and the anxieties that used to douse her flame are seemingly invisible. Wound greets Warrick with a friendly kiss to the plane of his cheek, a smile on the corners of her lips. “Warrick, you spoke well. I’m proud to see how well Tephra is faring under your guidance.”

    The words are true; she is proud with how far he has come and how far their island has journeyed as well. But aside from that, Wound has worked hard herself for the benefit of Tephra. And, although Wound is by no means power-hungry, she would like to be able to serve her kingdom in larger ways. “Although I am not fit for war, I’d like to be considered for the Ambassador position.”
    credit to nat of adoxography.

    @[Warrick] Wound's tossing in her name for the Ambassador position <33
    #4
    Valensia
    She’s been recovering, tucked away at home, Valensia still finds the nightmares plague her existence. Every night she startles awake and curls herself amongst her family building her bravery back up piece by piece. The call for a meeting can’t be missed; so, she takes off by air attempting to race the rest of her family there. When she arrives, she coasts down to the back of the growing group and listens to what the king says; looking for the familiar faces of her family all the while. She hears her father’s name and perks up, the pride and gratitude in the voice leaves her wondering what it would be like to take part in kingdom affairs. Then the mention of opportunities for this has her thinking.

    Maybe she should ask her parents if she can go? But then what if they say no? what if they think she is too little to take on the responsibility? She bites her lip, she’d always tried to be perfectly good for them, never causing trouble, and never sneaking out of the kingdom. But she’s a yearling now, and Tephra’s her home, can she really ignore this call? While she is thinking others begin replying. Finally, she works up her courage, not daring to look at the faces of those that love her. Fearful of any disapproval they may have about this antic. I would like to go to Ischia, I have wings, I can make it. If those others went with her, then she wouldn’t be alone, she could learn or something.

    She doesn’t just want to talk though, becoming part of her father’s guard is something that she has secretly been dreaming about lately. How is she supposed to do that, if she has never taken part in any fights? She needs to learn at some point. Maybe if she learns early on, then she can become a great warrior someday, someone her father can be proud of. Maybe it’s not allowed, maybe no one’s ever thought a yearling capable, but she thinks she is. She’d already experienced an entire lifetime, thanks to the fairies and that crazy writer person that messed up her life.

    Heck isn’t there a child ruler around beqanna somewhere? She’s heard the rumors. If a child can rule, why couldn’t she, not-quite-a-child, take part in this. Her diamond armor could protect her while she fights. Valensia sees no reason as to why she can’t participate so she bites her lip flushing deeply in her nervousness. I’d also like to take part in the battle, maybe she will get laughed out of the crowd. Maybe she doesn’t quite understand what is at stake, but she so desperately wants to be a part of this kingdom. He calls them a family, and that is exactly what they are. A beautiful, loving family. She just can’t bring herself to look at her father at the moment afraid to find embarrassment or worse disappointment there.

    “And there was you - your fair self,
    always delicately dressed,
    with white firm fingers sure of touch
    in delicate true work.
    I loved you then.”
    - Charlotte Gilman

    OOC: couldn’t stop her from asking :/ not sure if yearlings are allowed; so you can just play that off in character if you want lol.
    #5

    His words had hurt her in a way she hadn’t thought it was possible for words to hurt. Not only had he accused her of bringing the vampyric bitch back into Tephra, but with those biting words he had also told her he didn’t trust her. So what, if she’d brought Karaugh back, something that would only happen with a damn good reason. It hadn’t been the case, of course, but it had told Amorette that Tephra’s overseer didn’t trust her judgement.

    Ever since they hadn’t spoken, nor been in one another’s presence. At first she had been glad that he hadn’t come to find her, it would be like rubbing salt in an open wound. But as more and more time passed, more and more conflicting emotions had started to trouble her mind. Still, Amore hadn’t attempted to find Warrick, but it didn’t stop her from answering his call. Tephra’s business is her business.

    She settles herself besides Kryptic. ”Hello, little one” she greets him bemused. He hardly is little anymore, and yet, she knows he will always be her little one. Amorette presses her muzzle up to ruffle his poll, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. They don’t get time to actually talk, as Warrick starts his speech. She doesn’t reach out to meet his nose, but neither does she step back or show anything in her face when he reaches out to touch Kryptic.

    Unlike others, Amorette had never really gotten to know either Ellyse or Dahmer, and thus she honestly cannot be really worried about their disappearance. They must have had a good reason, so in truth, she worries more for Sylva’s new leader – and all the insecurities new leadership brings – than her old ones. The flicker of interest is genuine, but it is no different from her interest in the other lands. She’d say it is the diplomat in her.

    Amorette is, and would be, whatever Tephra wants and needs her to be. Her ambition isn’t about titles and achievements, but to serve Tephra, so she can become the sanctuary Warrick envisions. Thus doesn’t she push herself forward. A leader should be able to trust his highest ranked members, and as of now, he had shown he doesn’t trust her.

    Her dark eyes hovering over the faces of all those around her. Some are known, but so many others are not. Something that probably would have to change, like Warrick had said, they all are one big family. And what family didn’t know one another? A young girl offers an opportunity to just do so. ”I could accompany you on your visit to Ischia, if you like, before or after going to Sylva. Though we’d have to wait for low tide” After all, Amorette doesn’t have wings to carry her through the sky, or fins to help her face the tide.

    Amorette

    Quand on n'a que l'amour.




    OOC: Sorry, I'm rusty.. :/
    #6

    -Diorae-

    Her barrel is still swollen with child and each day that passes is another day with her carrying overdue. Never had Marigold considered herself elegant or graceful, but she has clearly hit the absolute bottom line right now. She’s more wobbling than walking, and only the idea of sprinting exhausts her. And yet, the golden mare cannot find rest whenever she’s not around him.

    The watching eyes are instantly back once the warg retreats to other business. His good right. It is so obvious that she is very much his – she’d do anything for him – but he had only been hers that one fruitful night. The lioness’ presence does not really help either. The more happens, the stronger her emotions and insecurities get, the stronger the she-cat becomes. Without Longclaw’s presence it had shown to be hard to control the feline housed inside of her.

    After a couple of mistakes – such as launching herself at Overseer’s newborn daughter – she’d never strayed away from his side for long and far. She’s nervous about pushing herself in his presence, but just being able to see him from afar has proven enough to ease her mind. It how she arrives at the meeting too.

    Marigold doesn’t dare to meet Warrick’s gaze, nor does she look at Wound and the young girl. At the same time she can feel their heated stare burn into her skin, or is she only imaging it? It is enough to make her nervous, ears flicking back and forth to catch each and every sound around her. Her eyes never lock on one thing in particular, glancing around as she’s unable to ignore every flicker out of the corner of her eyes. The short stump that’s left of her tail is pressed tightly against her buttocks, nostrils wide and trembling. Marigold is everything but at ease, even if she stays away from the gathered group a little ánd has Longclaw within sight.

    She’s not much of an ambassador – and not only because her voice fails her – and even less of a warrior. Longclaw had asked her to come to the training, which she’d naturally done. But that didn’t make her much of a warrior, did it? But again, if Longclaw would ask it of her, if he would push her forward as volunteer to join this battle, she knows she would.

    A beautiful face is a mute recommendation.

    #7

    Tangerine

    In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep


    The seer skirts the crowd, never fully apart of their world or the other. Warrick speaks valiantly, but his words do not stir her to act as they do his countrymen. Tangerine does not step up to fight, her form has grown soft during the lazy days of endless summer - and anyway, she had never shed another's blood though several have spilled hers. She does not speak up to carry messages and well wishes from one kingdom to the next, not ever to her own daughter, Solace, in Amet's kingdom.

    Not Amet's kingdom you silly girl, you know that he has left these shores your daughter wears his wisteria crown.

    The thought, though not new, is still a bitter bile to be swallowed.

    Tang's duty is to dream, And that is duty enough. It is not a joy to know one's own future, the future of your children, and your lover. Only in a time of desperate need would the honey and cream witch carry the messages of mortals. Her duty was to hear and to whisper the words of the divine, straddling two worlds wearied the soul.

    He finds her, as he always does, but with a brush of his velvet muzzle to hers he returns to them. His touch gently cleanses her of her wheeling thoughts, and as her amber eyes meet his they are clear and encouraging. Still, she does not speak, allowing him his time with his children, and as his message concludes she slips away into the dense green haze of the jungle. 



    editing to say that Levi is still roaming with his sis, so I guess he will miss this meeting. Which will help explain why he won't be fighting for Tephra. I don't think OOC i can handle two ponies in the tournament... but Solace needs to go. Otherwise, he would be volunteering <3
    [Image: tzang]




    #8
    like the sun swallowed up by the earth
    He is finished, and some of his people linger while others dissipate into the darkness. He begins to weave through them, searching out the familiar faces and listening to those who have remained to speak with him. Quickly, a new face finds him - a pale and glowing mare joining the group with a wide-eyed wonder in her gaze. He nods, happy with her introduction and how she is quick to offer herself up to the bettering of Tephra, and though there is a softness about her, Warrick can tell just with one look she is much stronger and more capable than she seems. Wound has brought her here (a swell of pride finds his chest, his blue eyes flickering to the silver bay woman briefly in acknowledgement. He smiles to the white mare, curving his neck so that his forehead meets hers, exchanging breaths with her as he greets her. “Saedis, welcome. Perhaps you and I can venture somewhere together, to get better acquainted.”

    The Overseer then turns to Wound, meeting her gaze with a warmth of adoration, his blue-tipped ears flicking towards her as her voice echoes into the night. Her kiss is gentle and sweet against the auburn of his cheek, and he idly lips at the darkness of her forelock as he considers her words. He smiles, a slight nod to his large head. “It would suit you well,” he murmurs quietly to her, his voice hushed against the stillness of Tephra’s starry night.

    A voice, unfamiliar and youthful, breaks his concentration and the winged stallion turns to find the source. He is met with the bold and confident stare of a yearling, her mottled coat of black and white cloaking her beneath the night’s shadows. Warrick takes a few steps towards her, surveying her (as well as her offer) with a gentle tilt of his head, blue nostrils fluttering. She is confident, and though he has not met her before, it is easy to tell who has raised her. The daughter of Femur and Longclaw (though Warrick is not sure if she is associated by blood or not, and it was not in his place to care) awaits his response boldly, unshaken beneath his gaze. “Bold offers from just a child,” he muses, brows rising amusedly. It is at this moment that Amorette’s voice chimes in, gentle and sweet against the darkness of night, but reserved and cautious in its direction towards him. Warrick’s ears flick back and his mouth twitches uncomfortably, but his response is quick: “Amorette and Valensia will visit Ischia for us.”

    Warrick pauses, noticing Tangerine’s familiar gaze upon him. “Your willingness to take risks speaks volumes. I would be honored for you to join me on the battlefield, Valensia.” It is better for her now to learn the ways of battle, where their fates would not be deadly, than to learn in the midst of true war.
    Warrick


    The activity check will be ending on the 28th! Please respond here IC or OOC by that date! <3
    #9
    Kolera, Kryptic and AuroraElis are here!
    #10
    Zephyr is still here.

    Phoebus is adventuring, but still a resident.

    Diable Rouge has passed away.




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