deep roots are not reached by the frost - any

[Merida]

She was sick of the meadow, covered in relentless ice and snow that never seems to disappear. She travels through the snow-covered banks with a grim look of revulsion on her features, black legs kicking at the snow as she walks. She wants to run, to stretch her legs and warm the muscles that are drawn tight with cold beneath her black coat. The heavy snowfall from the night before keeps her from doing so, as she was unable to easily move through the thick powder quickly without leaping with every step. So she trudges on slowly and unhappily, leaving a horse-sized break in the otherwise smooth snow that is now as tall as her knees.    Merida heads towards a small pond that she has been visiting frequently since her unscheduled arrival in the meadow. Here, the snow gives way to the water where she can at least get away from the few feet of powder behind her. She breathes a sigh of relief when her legs meet cold air instead of constant snow, ungracefully shaking them in an attempt to bring the blood to flow back into her veins and muscles of her lower legs.  There had been no snowfall since last night, which Merida was thankful for. With a snort, the mare’s bright golden eyes rest on the frozen water before her, gleaming like glass beneath a cloudless, sunny sky. She wishes to continue moving, but was in no way she was about to hike through the mass of snow again.   A thought strikes her and she inquisitively tilts her head, fiery red tendrils brushing gently against her ebony neck, flecked with red. Glancing downwards at the glass-like ice that shone before her, she merely squints her eyes in thought for a moment before decidedly taking a single foreleg and tapping the ice gingerly with her hoof. The connection makes a solid thudding sound as it meets, reverberating through what appears to be a frozen-solid pond. A slight purse of her lips and Merida carefully rests her hoof flat on the pond’s surface; head still tilted questioningly as she ever so slowly brings her weight down upon it.   A satisfied snort leaves her as the ice holds her weight so far, pleased. She takes a quick glance around as if to see if anyone has seen what has happened (most likely to brag about her bravery), but quickly her focus goes back to the task she had created for herself. She presses her weight into her leg a little bit more, testing the ice. It groans in reply then stops, which Merida took as an invitation to place her other foreleg onto the surface.   She pauses for a moment, glancing upwards and measuring in her head how many strides it would take to for her to get to the other side. A lackadaisical grin finds her lips and without another thought, her hindquarters tighten and release to propel her forward. Sliding uncontrollably but thoroughly enjoying the stretch of ice in front of her, Merida’s strong legs attempt to eat up the ice beneath her to propel her to the other side of the bank. So far it was working, and she finds herself laughing as she struggles to find purchase and to continue forward. She is a quarter of the way across with the end in sight. Maybe one or two more leaps, she thinks to herself, a look of determination and enjoyment across her face. One more…   Excited that she was nearly finished, breathlessly grinning and sweating from her short yet intense travel across the pond, Merida’s hindquarters tighten one last time where she would shortly after find herself on the small shoreline.   Of course, this is not what happened.   Despite the freezing temperatures and her safe travel across nearly three-quarters of the way, winter is near its end and the temperature today was a few degrees warmer than the days before. Add the sun’s light and a cloudless sky; it would be no surprise to a passerby when Merida’s muscles were never able to release to spring her forward. The ice groans and grinds menacingly for a moment, and the suddenly the black mare was nowhere to be seen.   She feels the ice break away from beneath her and a look of horror finds her face just as she submerges, the water unforgivingly cold and sharp in her nose and mouth. It’s mere seconds before she breaks the surface, her eyes rolling as she blinks back the icy water. She coughs and sputters, black legs keeping her upright while at the same time struggling to find either the bottom of the pond or to find a surface to climb out onto. There was nothing, neither beneath nor before her that she could find to bring herself out of the dark, icy water.   Already winded and a bit weary, Merida continues to tread water as her golden eyes search frantically for something that she could use to get her out of this mess she created.   merida from the ashes a fire shall be woken

[Venom + Virus]

you gotta see the artistry,
in tearing the place apart with me

They are growing tired of the forest.

They have reigned carnage upon the little creatures of the undergrowth, and while they certainly enjoyed it for a time, the little cruelties grow stale. They long for bigger things, for adventure, for creatures to pull in under the sway of the Cove, of Grandfather and the ancestor Gods.

So they wander further still.

They leave the cover of the trees and wander out into the open plain, and they are most pleased by what they see. Dozens of horses dot the snowy landscape, horses of almost every colour and shape imaginable. They had known of course, that there were others - Mother and Grandfather had said as much, of course - but to see them with their own eyes is something else. To see colours other than shades of purple is something else.

They walk in step, two purple and black foals side by side, green eyes scanning the horses they pass in open interest. They spy more wings, more horns (single horns, how odd!), a frost covered giant (how curious!), and colours, oh the colours! They see spots and stripes, blues, greens, silver … and a spot of red and black in a pond.

They stop in unison, green eyes narrowing in curiosity as one. There’s a horse in the pond, a horse that’s broken through the ice and is struggling to stay afloat. Together they turn to look at each other, answering one another with a slightly unsettling smile, then turn back in the direction of the pond. They walk until they reach the pond, then stop to study the horse’s predicament.

“You’re stuck,” observes Virus, nodding knowingly to her sister. And well and truly stuck the mare is. The ice around her is thin and the pond deep, offering no purchase for her flailing hooves. What a foolish creature to get herself in such a position. “We can help you,” she calls, “well, she,” she indicates her sister with a nod, “can help you.” Venom smiles prettily, taking a step closer to the pond’s frozen edge. “But what will you give us if I do?” The mare might wonder what on earth two foals, not even past their first birthdays, might be able to for her. But she won’t have long to make up her mind and make an offer - the cold will soon start to set in.

venom&virus

Btw radar, I found an old html that I believe Call might have made for Merida. Would you be interested in it?

[Merida]

Merida would be the last one to admit that she’s gotten herself into situations like this before. Her time outside of Beqanna has left her with a lot of experience in adventures and the like, but at her core she was still the young filly whose heart seems to lead her instead of her brain. She wouldn’t trade it for any other way, though. Those who are too logical or practical were dull – and Merida refused to be seen as dull.

Of course, now she was probably being seen as silly and honestly quite dim-witted. The pair standing over her had a glimmer of mischief in their eyes, which did not surprise the black mare. There are so many types of creatures that sprout up in Beqanna, she did not think for a second that the two fillies could not help her out of the icy water, she just had to convince them it was worth doing. She sighs - this might take awhile.

Thankfully, Merida was quite the swimmer – she was strong and agile, and though was tiring slowly (as any mortal horse would), she continues to tread water purposefully. Her strides became elongated and controlled, keeping her head above the water just as far as it needed to be so that she would not waste unnecessary energy.  The only thing that worried Merida (and it was at the very far reaches of her thoughts) was the cold. She could tread water for as long as she needed. The cold, however, is unforgiving. Soon her muscles would grow weary and taut beneath her ebony skin and fail her.

Her golden eyes roll towards the purple twins who gazed at her as if she was a feast to be had. Merida’s skin pricks, though not with fear or from the bitter cold water against her skin, but anticipation. This – this is what she had been looking for.

She was a thrill-seeker. The idea of the unknown excited her and she thirsts for it. The boredom that she had built up during her time in the meadow all seems worth it now – especially when they offer her a way out. She seems oddly calm as she paddles in the water, surveying the winged creatures thoughtfully. They were almost serpent-like, their green eyes hungrily on her. Merida felt almost as if she was in a labyrinth, confronted by magical and mysterious creatures that would grant her a wish, but not in the way she had hoped.

The pair stood before her and Merida was enthralled at their great wings and spiraled horns, immediately in awe of their obvious power at such a young age. Merida was not one to be jealous, but she was one to be in want. She senses that the two foals were getting a huge thrill out of this situation as much as Merida was, and she decides to use this to her advantage.

“Perhaps I am, lasses.” There was a hint of a Scottish accent on her voice as she spoke, nostrils flaring red as she tries to keep the water from entering them. If she could have shrugged beneath the frigid, dark waters she would have. “The magic in Beqanna is great as well as your offer…” she takes a breath and swallows, fighting the numbness that was beginning to shroud her – she had been in worse situations before. “Tell me, what is it you two need? What would benefit two brilliant creatures as you? What is it you could possibly desire from a mere mortal such as myself?” A couple breaths were taken here. Speaking was causing her to tire more rapidly, and Merida compensates by quickening the strokes of her strong legs.

Truly Merida had nothing to offer in the way of magic or treasures (though she always had craved and desired it – oh how wonderful it would be to have a trait!) – but loyalty, servitude, protection, tracking…those were the qualities she bore well. “I am resilient and strong. I have no loyalties here in Beqanna yet – but that can change.” Merida says this thoughtfully, not desperately, wondering if perhaps her vigor and ability to stay above the water’s surface for such a long while would entice the young witch-like creatures, or the fact that her allegiance could be bought. “And though not because of magic, I’m exceptionally good at finding something – or someone – who does not want to be found.” Her breath was slowly becoming shaky, the fierce temperature of the water taking its toll on her body.

They could of course let her drown (that is still an option, Merida is aware) or perhaps even submerge her under the surface and quicken her fate. However this thought is at the back of her mind as her gold eyes trace their features, an expression of longing and desire on her face. She desperately was hoping she would get to see the power that the two truly had.

from the ashes a fire shall be awoken

Well, oops...looks like Merida craves magic/power. Hopefully the twins enjoy that! Lol

[Venom + Virus]

you gotta see the artistry,
in tearing the place apart with me

They wait side by side, dark tails twitching eagerly in anticipation as they wait for the mare to respond. And when she does, they are not disappointed. The mare is even more exotic than previously thought - the voice that comes out is accented in a tone foreign to their young ears. They both glance at each other in surprise and smile. They chose right with this one.

She asks what they need and they both pause in thought. Neither of them exactly need anything. Everything they could ever need is provided for by Mother, Grandfather and the Family. But what do they want? This might require more thought.

At the very least, they both rather like being addressed as ‘brilliant’ creatures - it only serves to support what Mother and Grandfather have told them. They are special. Unique. Above the rest.

Then the mare herself serves up an idea. They do not care much for her loyalties - the Cove is adrift now, there is no point in adding to their numbers until they have a homeland. But finding ... now that is a skill for which they might have some use.

Both girls glance at each other once again, give each other knowing looks, and then, as one, step even closer to the pond’s frozen edge. “That might suffice,” says Venom, with a tone that indicates perhaps more is afoot. “You can find someone for us,” Virus adds with a wicked grin. “We are tired of playing with the rodents and birds in the forest. You can find someone else for us to play with.”

Venom steps forward once again, feet now on the thick crust of ice at the edge of the pond. She reaches deep within herself and grabs hold of her power, grinning as the energy fills her. “But,” she says, telekinetically grabbing on to the stranded mare with an iron grip. “If you do not find someone, or we do not like who you find, we will play with you instead.” She squeezes the mare just a little tighter, just to emphasize that the second option is not one the mare will enjoy.

venom&virus

If you don't like what Venom is doing with her telekinesis please let me know and I am happy to change it.

[Merida]

She doesn’t know these two nor doesn’t recognize their features as familiar. She feels as though (and her intuition, she will find out, is correct – lucky her) she should know these creatures; know their names and their families. They seem incredibly important, or are successful in perceiving themselves as such. Either way, Merida intentionally plays into their hand – understanding full well that it is possible the second she angers them, the consequences would be dire. Whether it be at the girl’s hand or someone far more fearsome, Merida was not interested in trying to gain the upper hand with these two – at least not yet. She was only interested in being brought out of the bloody water.

Merida heard what the two wished for, but her mind did not comprehend it as quickly as she would have if she had been standing on solid ground. Her dark legs feel dead in the water, cutting through the frigid temperature with a mind of their own. Her fiery red mane and forelock plaster against her ebony neck, her body melting into the equally dark water. Her flame-colored tail splays out behind her, stark and glaring against the near-black water that she churns so desperately.

She suddenly feels something besides the painful numbing ache of her legs and chest. It is surprising and extremely unfamiliar, and Merida snorts uncertainly in response. Of course, the feeling was that of Venom’s metaphorical hand gripping her tight, making the black mare feel almost weightless in the icy waters. The young filly’s energy was palpable, buzzing and humming like electricity as Merida feels herself becoming enshrouded by it. It was not a comforting feeling. She does not stop swimming though – her golden eyes lock with the hungry eyes of the twin’s on the shoreline – they could (and probably would) easily let her slip through their fingers the moment she let her guard down. The devious and mysterious pair, though promising to help, could not be trusted fully – Merida is sure that both Venom and Virus knew that already, anyway.

“Yes, yes,” she says quickly and breathlessly, her voice sounding muffled from Venom’s grip on her body. She inhales. “I’ll find anyone you’d like.” The air rushes from her lungs as she speaks; the squeezing is becoming more intense with every exhalation – like a python suffocating its prey before devouring it. She grimaces and clenches her jaw firmly, teeth bared in discomfort and awaiting the expected release onto the shoreline (hopefully) from the young filly.

She wonders what their names are and where they're from - where they get all of their confidence and their ability to manipulate to get exactly what they want.

from the ashes a fire shall be awoken

[Venom + Virus]

you gotta see the artistry,
in tearing the place apart with me

Oh they're enjoying this game already.

Venom grins wider as the look in the mare’s eyes changes, finally understanding the depth of the predicament in which she’s found herself. At Venom’s side, Virus giggles harshly as the look of understanding changes to one of pain as Venom’s grip about the mare tightens.

“Yes, yes. I’ll find anyone you’d like.”

The words hang in the air for one breathless moment as Venom lets the mare continue to struggle. She briefly considers forcing the mare under and letting her drown beneath the layers of ice. She’s never seen a creature drown before, let alone another horse. She’s certain it would be an interesting experience. But then they wouldn’t have their game ...

With one quick motion she hoists the mare up out of the frigid waters, and floats her over the pond’s edge, where she unceremoniously dumps the wet mare in the snow. She exhales as she lets go, leaning briefly against her triplet for support. She is gifted with her power, but she is young yet and has had little practice lifting a full grown horse (she’s lifted her sister, but Virus is half the height of the strange mare and far more scrawny). The effort has managed to temporarily tire her out. But it was more than worth it, for the game is nowhere near its end.

Sensing her sister’s weariness, Virus takes the lead and steps towards the red and black mare. “We’ve done our part.” Trying to cover her fatigue, Venom steps up to her sister’s side, dark spiraling horns lowered at the mare in a slightly threatening gesture. “And now it’s your turn.” Now both girls grin and speak as one, green eyes narrowing at their prey. “Find us someone to play with. Or,” both girls give each other knowing looks, “we will play with you.” They fall silent again, waiting, watching. Will the mare keep her bargain? Or will they get to toy with her a little longer?

venom&virus

If you don't like any of the telekinetic stuff, again, please let me know!

[Merida]

Finally, at long last, she felt herself being pulled from the water. Her tried legs almost give way with weariness as she is thrown roughly onto the bank of the shoreline, but she (ungracefully) gathers herself beneath her aching legs with huge gasps for breath. She stands shakily, streams of icy water running in rivulets down her muscled shoulders and haunches, her ribs expanding with each inhale and exhale as she tries to regulate her heart rate. Her golden eyes never leave the pair that had rescued her (had she really been rescued, though?), fiercely eyeing them with a tightly closed jaw. Fire-red tendrils plaster against her ebony neck and face, dripping unflatteringly before she shakes whatever excess water she could from her body. Merida hopes some of the water splashes the girls. She’s shivering slightly, but otherwise the mare is fine – physically.
 
Merida snorts sharply, droplets of water flying from her wide nostrils as she absentmindedly flicks her tail against her red-spotted haunch. Her gold eyes roll upwards slightly and part of her wishes to say to the twins: “Yes, I heard you the first time!” but she decides this is not a good idea and that a simple eye roll will suffice.
 
Thankfully the weather was making way for spring, and Merida rolls her shoulders as the sun begins to warm her cold skin. She closes her eyes momentarily, stretching beneath the warmth of the sun’s rays. Eyes still closed, she nods absently. “Alright,” she finally says, inhaling deeply and exhaling with a huge sigh, opening her eyes to gaze curiously at the purple and black sisters before her. “You got any preferences? Seems like you girls would like a challenge.” Merida eyes them inquisitively, knowing that they most likely wouldn’t settle for some sickly creature found hiding in the roots of the nearby forest – chances are, they’ve already tortured a poor soul that fits that description. She wonders briefly if they specifically wished for another horse, which Merida pretends doesn’t bother her, or if something that could possibly hurt them in return (a carnivore?) would be more enticing to the mystical beings.
 
All the while Merida waits for a reply; her black ears are swiveling carefully and listening to the sounds around them, already hunting for a trail that she could follow. The smell of horse was the most overwhelming scent on the wind, but it was spring and other animals that have been hidden away for the winter were now out and about. Does with newly born fawns, wolves (she shudders here slightly at the thought) with young pups, badgers emerging from the depths of their damp holes – the possibilities were endless.
 
Merida continues to keep her eyes on the twins, hoping that they would not request an equine toy, but at the same time knowing that it would probably not be beyond them to ask for such a request – seeing as they were keen on messing with her if she fails.
 
“What can I call you two?” Here she dips her head slightly, figuring the twins would enjoy the amount of respect Merida was trying to give them (she was extremely good at playing along).

from the ashes a fire shall be awoken

[Venom + Virus]

you gotta see the artistry,
in tearing the place apart with me

The mare shakes, sending water spraying violently in their direction. Venom recoils, but Virus remains motionless, staring at the red and black mare with anticipation. Her green eyes narrow at the mare’s eye roll, but she says nothing - clearly the mare has words on her mind. It is wise she did not chose to share them.

They wait while she stretches out, trying to work warmth back into what must be surely frozen and sore muscles. They do not like waiting, but they understand she will need her strength to search out their new ‘friend.’

Then she asks what their preference would be and both girls smile as one. Unfortunately for Merida, it is not a beast that they have in mind. The girls have satisfied themselves on the blood of small rodents and birds, they want something bigger, something more … familiar. “Someone our age.” Venom’s grin widens, turning wicked. “Yes, someone we can play with.” Virus’ grin widens as well, matching her sister’s.

They can see the mare thinking, dark eyes swiveling, eyes wide and alert. They are pleased that she seems so receptive. Clearly she knows her place in the world - they have done her a service, and she will uphold her end of the bargain. Or suffer the consequences.

She asks after their names, and Virus snorts impatiently. Venom nudges her sister gently - time has not been wasted yet, it is not too unusual for the mare to want to know the names of her rescuers. “I’m Venom.” The first sister bobs her head, then the second - “I’m Virus.” Virus paws the ground impatiently, eyes narrowing at the mare. “Hurry up, I’m gettnig bored. Bring us our toy!”

venom&virus

[Merida]

She can feel their eyes on her and despite being just fillies, they cause an uneasy feeling in the pit of Merida’s stomach. It churns wildly, the excitement mixing with absolute dread. She is not afraid of the two (at least not yet), no. But the strange way they surround her like sharks to blood brings concern to her piercingly golden eyes – she can only imagine who these two belong to and Merida was not keen on meeting them. As for the moment, they had been a means to an end, and Merida meant the same to them. She would stick to her word, almost to a fault, as she always would and hoped that she would be on her way, never to interact with the two beastly children ever again.

Something pricks with alarm inside Merida, part of her wondering if she would ever be able to be released from their unsettling clutches. She pushes down the thought with a hard swallow, nodding understandably as the girls eagerly describe their wishes. Merida’s jaw clenches restlessly as they request a foal, snorting sharply in response. Other than that, no words were uttered in reply to their sadistic demand.

Merida inhales deeply, her eyes scanning the meadow intently as she searches for signs of life besides their own. Her black ears flick carefully; listening attentively for the sound of small hooves on soft grass and ignoring the calls of birds, wind against the trees, or adult horses’ murmurs on the wind. All the while, the ebony mare keeps the twins in sight from the corner of her eyes, not feeling comfortable enough to let them out of her sight (and rightly so).

“Stay here,” she says suddenly and rather quietly, brushing past the twins (careful not to actually touch them) with easy strides, brilliant yet sad eyes focused on an area beyond them. As to not offend them, she calmly adds: “Fearsome creatures find it more difficult to lure innocent prey.” Merida passes them a few steps and warily looks over her shoulder at the two, almost as if she was waiting for them to change their mind. 

“Follow if you must, but stay hidden. Any hint of uncertainty from our target will make this task all the more challenging.”

She pauses, watching them. Merida hates that she feels like she’s giving them advice to track their own prey in the future, wondering if she will feel guilty for sharing information like this with them. They are young and impressionable, soaking everything up from the world around them. She says nothing else, for soon they will see how easy it is to lure and ‘capture’ someone without using force unless needed.

The black mare begins her route, head low to the grasses as she inhales the scent of the ground below her. The smell was thick with growing foliage and damp earth, but there were small traces of equine riddled through it. As she moved, she would sometimes turn right or turn left, stopping suddenly to inspect a print a little closer before continuing. The scent was becoming stronger. A foal’s scent was fresh and new, brimming with excitement and wonder – extremely distinct among the other smells of the meadow and especially different from the two fillies that were hopefully keeping their distance behind her (they smelt of poison and dripped with venom – how charming).

Merida suddenly halts, lifting her head for the first time since the beginning of her tracking. Her ears prick forward curiously, watching for movement. She was close – closer than she thought, actually, when her golden eyes catch the sight of a foal in the distance. She glances over her shoulder, hoping the twins were well hidden and would remain so for the time being until she returned with their gift to the small, frozen pond. She snorts sharply, wordlessly reminding them to stay put.

She begins to walk towards where the young equine was, her face alight with ease and comfort – she had to be extremely convincing to the foreign child if she hoped to keep herself from out of the grasp of the twins’ and their family.

from the ashes a fire shall be awoken