poedogs
Bachelor Herd 
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144 
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Post by poedogs on Feb 13, 2015 22:03:31 GMT -5
"My Eyes!"
They say the lunar ravens will go for a foal’s eyes in heartbeats. Can’t say it’s not true. Dawne’s waiting with the rest of the herd for Lena and Kanu to come back from a bit of a walk together when the raven swoops down. Following closely behind is about four more. The scared foal looks up just in time to feel a rip in her skin and blood gush on her face and to see the fluttering of wings.
I walked on quietly. Mom and Dad were off on a walk and expected me to stay with the bulk of the herd. I did. I stuck close to the outskirts though, before laying on the ground, neatly folding my grey and black legs under. A few bees buzzed around me and I flicked my short tail and ears in order to flutter them away. There was a rustle. I didn't pay heed to the odd noise and instead looked around towards the herd. A few mares with red tinged coats and bright paint markings were grazing nearby.
There was also a paint I knew to be my friend's dad. He stood nearby as well. I felt safe for the time being. Little did I know that danger was ever present in the tree limbs above me. Then came a melody sweet as a song bird's tune. It came from above. I looked up and saw myself in mirrors of blue eyes and saw a flutter of wings. They tore into my face. I rolled away, now shouting violently and screaming. I whimpered like a foal my age would and flattened my ears to my head. Talons dug into my eye sockets. Searing pain shot through my face to my brain and I began to cry. Nothing came to wet my cheeks though. The birds were destroying my eyes and some were beginning to dart for my stomach. I kicked in vain before slowly beginning to stop, to tire, to slip away. I needed someone to come and heal me fast. Where were they? I could hear shouts and cries as the birds were killed, yet nothing but the bird's wings, beaks, and claws had touched me yet. |
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd 
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Feb 13, 2015 22:41:17 GMT -5
The brown paint grazed quietly nearby, watching the herd go about their business as the day went on. Effie was standing guard on the other side of the herd, and Ryder found himself glancing toward the hill that she stood on every once in awhile as if he were checking to make sure his mate was still there. Everything seemed so... temporary nowadays. As if anything could be ripped out from underneath at any moment just like so many other things that had been recently: the Exile's home, his relationship with his half-brother, and the friendship he had had with Prime. All of it had been taken from him. Granted that at least one of those was because of his own stupidity. Ryder sighed quietly, watching Leif as the colt darted through the tall grass close by and chased after some unseen thing. The scout chuckled to himself with a proud smile. That colt and his mate were the most joyous things in his life, and he didn't dare to even imagine what he would do if they were taken from him.
His head snapped up at the sound of screaming. His blue eyes widened in horror at the sight of the white ravens as they dived down on the small shape of a grey spotted filly in the grass. Ryder turned to look at the nearest horse with a serious expression on his face. "Get my son to safety." He ordered in an unfamiliar authoritative tone. Before he could see the horse snatch Leif from his games, Ryder was already charging toward the birds who screeched in shock at the sight of the stallion coming toward them. The paint reared onto his hind legs, coming down on one of the bird's wings with a loud snap. He whinnied loudly as one of their sharp beaks scraped across his withers, leaving a bloody mark across them. "Get out of here! Scram!" He shouted at the demon birds. One let out an ear piercing screech before they fluttered away, leaving in search of easier prey.
Ryder panted lightly, watching to make sure the birds were gone for good before turning his attention to the foal at his feet, who he recognized as one of Leif's friends. He winced at the state her face was in. It appeared that the foal's eyes had been ripped out by the ravens before he had gotten over here. Ryder ground his jaws together. Why couldn't he have been faster? Blood dripped out of the open orifices, pooling below her. He galloped a short distance away, grabbing the sack of herbs that he kept nearby just in case things like this happened. Ryder reached into his stash once he arrived back at Dawne's side, rooting through the supplies that he had. "Hello, my name is Ryder. I believe you and my son, Leif, are friends if I'm not mistaken." Ryder began talking in an attempt to keep the filly's mind off of the pain she was surely feeling, keeping his voice calm and even. "I've got a lot of herbs here that'll be able to heal you right up. This might sting a little bit, but it'll be fast." Ryder assured her as he grabbed a wad of cobwebs and pressed them lightly into the foal's eye sockets to slow the bleeding. He'd have to take these off later to change the bandages, and then, he would apply some ointment onto it to make sure the infection wouldn't set in. Once the cobwebs were in place, Ryder took out some vine, gently wrapping the webs into place. He quickly checking to make sure that the makeshift bandage would stay and searched through his pile of herbs once more. He took out a bit of ginger root and placed it in front of Dawne's nose for her to smell. "If you eat that, it'll take some of the pain away and help with the hot, achy feeling you're probably having."
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 13, 2015 22:52:18 GMT -5
Then they were gone. The shouting was still there, but in the background. Someone was speaking to me and the voice floated through my ears. They reminded me of someone, I wouldn't know who, but oh well. I was going to be alright, hopefully. If only my friend Leif or Io were here. I'd love for them to keep me company. I couldn't imagine what my appearance would be. Mommy would still love me, right? Oh boy I wished she was here to come to think of it. I was too tired to cry out anymore, much less to complain with the sting of the herbs. The stallion's voice soothed me even more so now.
"Is momma here?" I squeaked, disturbing the things pressing against my eyes. I jerked, "Why can't I see! Where is everyone!" I began the snuffle and kick out in my fear. Where was everyone? Why couldn't I see anyone? Why can't I open my eyes? I pushed away from the stallion and tried to stand before falling with the pain and confusion. "Momma, Momma! Leif! Io! Kanu!" Where were they? Why couldn't they be here helping me? I fell back, my nostrils flaring with fear. Yet there was something soothing my eyes, it was displaced right now, but it had worked. "Please, keep fixing me?" There was dirt in my other cuts. I tried to move my head so the stallion could help with it.
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Feb 14, 2015 10:09:12 GMT -5
Ryder backed up slightly as Dawne kicked out, flailing as she tried to stand in her panicked state. He moved to catch her in case she fell, but the lanky legged filly soon fell back to the ground with her expression filled with fear. The brown paint sighed quietly, moving back toward her once she settled back down. "Your mother and father should be back very soon. If you'd like, I can have Leif come over to keep you company while I work on your other scratches." Ryder offered in a comforting tone. He glanced over to where the other horse had taken Leif. The grey colt was peaking over a small hill, watching the scene before him.
Not mentioning the answer to the foal's question about her eyesight, Ryder returned to the pile of herbs beside him, taking out a few aloe leaves. Ryder didn't want to tell the foal that she had lost her eyes and that she would be blind forever. He grabbed one of the spiny leaves, biting it in half so that the juice inside slowly came out. "This might sting a little, but I promise it'll make you feel a lot better." He said, touching Dawne's wounds with the open end of the aloe plant. He slathered the juice onto the other scratches the ravens had inflicted on her. The dirt that had gotten into them was cleaned out by the liquid coming from the plant, and Ryder wiped away the blood as the red liquid began to ceased flowing from the open scratches.
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 14, 2015 10:17:43 GMT -5
I spoke quietly, "Can he? That'd be mighty nice of him." I was weak from my fight and then struggling around. My face, oh I can't bear to think of what it might look like now. My unspoken question, would mommy still love me? I sniffled quietly as the stallion worked the herbs into me. My ears flicked around, picking up conversations around me. Will she live? Where are her eyes mummy? The poor baby. I passed out then. The life leaving my limbs if only for a few hours, the only thing that continued to move was my barrel, rising and falling with light breathing. My mind blanked.
T I M E S K I P Feel free darling to put a Ryder bit and then your own time skip when Dawne's awoken the next day.
I wanted to open my eyes, yet I was still plunged into this eternal darkness. Someone moved beside me, "Who's there?" I wanted it to be Mom or Dad or even if it was Leif I'd be happy. The stallion was probably the one there though. Something sticky was coated where my eye was, hmm that must be it, I thought. The sticky stuff must be keeping my eyes shut. My happy one year old self took this to be true. I was completely unprepared for the realization that someone was going to have to tell me. |
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Feb 14, 2015 20:25:05 GMT -5
The paint stallion nodded, turning his gaze from the grey filly to his son. He nodded for the colt to come over, and Leif trotted over from his hiding place. For once, the colt was quiet, sitting down beside Dawne as Ryder placed the herbs carefully onto her wounds. His ears swiveled around them, listening to the horses talk in hushed voices around them. Will she live? Where are her eyes? Ryder snorted quietly, glaring at the horses that stood in a tight circle around them. "I need space. Isn't there anything better all of you could do like get me more cobwebs or something?" Ryder asked them in a slightly frustrated tone. His deep voice was laced in concern for the foal he was treating, and guilt raked through him. He should have gotten there sooner. What if it had been Leif instead of her? What were her parents going to think and say? When Ryder glanced over at Dawne's face, she appeared to be asleep. A small sigh escaped him. At least she didn't have to hear all of these horses standing around and speaking of her.
Time Skip
Ryder stayed by Dawne's side for the few hours that she slept. He carefully checked her wounds, changing the bandages around her eyes twice to insure that infection didn't set in. Leif spent his time playing nearby, though it was pretty apparent that the normally rambunctious foal was worried about his friend. Ryder's ears flicked toward the sound of Dawne's voice as she woke from her slumber. He moved toward her, looking at the bandages that covered her face. "It's just me, Ryder. Leif is here too though." Ryder said, motioning for the colt to come back over. "How are you feeling? Any pain anywhere?" He turned his attention back on Dawne, studying her wounds for any signs that anything else needed to be done for them.
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 14, 2015 20:40:13 GMT -5
"He's here?" I smiled a bit, my mouth stretching thinly. I disrupted something plastered to my face and felt uncomfortable as it slipped down from it's place. "Leif come over here, please? I'm lonely." I tried to stand and finally had succeeded. Still I could not open my eyes. There was something wrong. I couldn't remember, no I could. Those words, Where are her eyes mummy? I was filled with uncertain dread. "What happened to me?" I was on the verge of crying, how I would cry though escaped me. But I promised myself I would. I snuffled, snot dribbling down my muzzle a bit.
"What happened to me?" I said quietly, uncertainly. I could hear sharply now, the mares stopping their grazing at my words. Silence for a moment. "Where's mother? Father?" I wanted someone next to me someone I knew, someone friendly to explain my fear and my condition. "Leif? Will you tell me?"
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Feb 14, 2015 21:00:38 GMT -5
Leif looked as Ryder motioned for him to come back over. He galloped over on still unsteady hooves and stopped once he was at Dawne's side. He gave her his classic, toothy smile even though he knew that she couldn't see it. "Hi, Dawne! How are you feeling?" Leif asked with a concerned glint to his eyes.
Ryder moved to fix the bandage on Dawne's face that drooped down slightly from her standing up. He wiped away some of the extra herbs that came out from underneath the cobwebs and tied the knot a little tighter so that it wouldn't slip anymore. A pang of guilt and worry washed over him when he heard her saddened question. "Your mother and father haven't come back from their walk just yet, but I'm sure they'll be here any second." Ryder spoke in a comforting tone. He couldn't imagine how scary all of this was to such a young horse, and to lose her eyesight forever was something that he couldn't even imagine himself going through let alone a foal. Leif glanced over at his father with a worried glance when Dawne's questions filled the silence that seemed to overtake the entire herd. Ryder took a deep breath, looking around at the saddened faces that watched the scene. Before the stallion even had the chance to open his mouth, the colt at Dawne's side was already speaking. "You were attacked by those mean, white birds. My papa got here in time to fight them off of you, but... um.... you got hurt really bad. All of us were really worried. Dawne, the birds took your eyes." Leif explained, sympathy and concern laced his words. Ryder glanced down at the foals in front of him and gave the grey colt a small nod. It was pretty bad when a foal was able to tell someone news that even adults were afraid of saying.
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 14, 2015 21:19:04 GMT -5
I was silent, my fear pulsing through to everyone around me, I was sure. What, a bird had taken my eyes. "Will they give them back?" I wanted to be oblivious, I wanted this all to be some sort of sad joke. I nudged the grey foal beside me, "How can I go anywhere if I can't see then?" I wanted to smile, to let them recognize that I knew I was being pranked, but the silence weighed down on me. It crushed me, it suffocated me.
"Who's been helping me also? They sound nice and familiar, but I can't remember who they are." I turned and nuzzled my head into Leif's neck, my friend. He was like a brother to me. I curled up again, sinking to the ground. She waited quietly for someone to come, momma hopefully.
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Feb 14, 2015 21:58:02 GMT -5
Ryder blinked a few times at Dawne's innocent question. He shook his head, answering before Leif got the chance to. "I don't think they are going to return them. I'm sorry." He said, looking down at the small filly. Goodness, why couldn't this have waited until her parents were here? He knew how to comfort the wounded from his years of tending to them, and he had learned how to comfort foals since Effie and he had had Leif, but this? This was different. The realization seemed to be dawning on her, and there was a considerable droop in her expression. Ryder bit his lip, looking around at the horses nearby. Where were her parents? They had been gone for hours now. Ryder parted his mouth to answer Dawne's next question, but Leif quickly butt in. "I'll help you! I'll make sure nothing gets in your way." Leif offered with a wide grin. "And the horse that's been taking care of you is my papa, Ryder. He knows a lot about herbs and stuff." Leif said, giving her a proud nod.
As the foal slipped back to the ground, Ryder moved closer to her, nosing her neck gently and avoiding any scratches and bandages. "It'll be alright." He assured her, or tried his hardest to anyways.
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 15, 2015 0:51:50 GMT -5
I snuffled more and curled my head around Leif's neck. By grey mane and forelock flopped sadly against my neck. "How will you lead me when you have nothing to lead me with?" I said to Leif, wondering aloud. Had he a rope or a long red ribbon* I could be made a little lead rope, but as far as I knew, none was available. Then there was a flurry of sound and I could hear dirt being kicked up. His voice, "KANU!" I shouted loudly, scaring myself with its intensity.
"I kept wondering where you were and whether or not momma and you would still love me!" My face fell at the words, "Do you daddy?" I was so scared of the idea that I could be abandoned again and this time with nothing to guide me to the beach of safety. "
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jodifarrow22
Exile Herd
The vorpal blade went snicker snack! He left it dead, and with it's head he went galumphing back.
Posts: 59
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Post by jodifarrow22 on Feb 15, 2015 1:30:57 GMT -5
The day was warm, bright and a gentle breeze swept across the lush land, bringing relief to Kanu's former burning skin. He had been walking for several hours- scouting- across the perimeter the Exile herd was to stay in, it was a rather generous amount of land, but Kanu missed having the leisure of roaming where he pleased and when he pleased. He at least had Lena with him, something that he never thought would happen, he actually had his love by his side, and they didn't have to hide it. Obviously he didn't think the Bachelors would take kindly to losing one of their broods to an Exile, but he honestly didn't care, he wasn't thinking of any aftermath, conflict or consequences he may have to go through, because she was all that mattered. Of course that was until little Dawne came into his life and stole his heart. It had all happened so quickly, first he had gained a mate, one whom he loved beyond words, and now he was a father, a fiercely devoted one at that. He honestly couldn't have been happier with where he was in his life right now, even though home seemed a world away- Lena and Dawne were with him and that was more of a home than he could ever ask for.
Kanu had made Dawne promise that she'd stay with the rest of the Exiles so she didn't get into trouble, he couldn't risk having her wander off and into the grasp of a Bachelor, just the mere thought of her going through what Lena did made him cringe. He knew she would be in safe hands though, Kale was there, Leif was there, and his friends were there too, willing to help and babysit when they could. He was grateful for everyone's assistance. Once Kanu and Lena had begun heading back, Kanu realized it had taken a lot longer than expected once he looked to the sky and saw that dusk was close. He begun to worry, he hadn't told Dawne- or anyone- that the scout would take this long, because he didn't think it would. What if they thought he had been caught? What if Dawne thought her parents had abandoned her yet again never to return? The intensity of Kanu's thoughts proved how worried he was as he begun to pick up his pace.
Once they had returned, the only thing he saw was Dawne, hunched over her was Ryder, he looked distressed, and Dawne even more so. Dusk was in full swing now, and the sky was a vibrant purple as Kanu rushed over to find out what was going on. Horror was obvious in his eyes as he examined his daughter, her own eyes were there no more, only mangled flesh and the bandages covering her wounds, courtesy of Ryder's handy work. He was in pure shock, unable to even grasp any words. He looked frantically to Ryder and then to Dawne, before repeating the process. You could see the thousands of questions in Kanu's eyes, though he couldn't put them into play.
Before he freaked out in front of Dawne, who obviously didn't need that sort of behavior from her own father, he shoved Ryder to the side, away from Dawne's ears.
"What the hell happened!?" He begun, his voice in a harsh whisper, "Her... Eyes they- but, wha-, how- Explain this to me Ryder!" He blurted out, hoping Dawne didn't hear him, he couldn't let her, not yet, he would approach her when he had calmed down so he could be better at comforting her than he would be now.
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jodifarrow22
Exile Herd
The vorpal blade went snicker snack! He left it dead, and with it's head he went galumphing back.
Posts: 59
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Post by jodifarrow22 on Feb 15, 2015 1:31:40 GMT -5
((Sorry if this isn't the right time setting for Kanu to come in, I wasn't sure when to D: ))
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poedogs
Bachelor Herd
New Foalie on the way
Posts: 144
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Post by poedogs on Feb 15, 2015 2:06:09 GMT -5
Oh no it was absolutely a perfect time to come in darling C:
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blueunicornj13
Exile Herd
We don't have a choice to stay. We'd rather die than do it your way.
Posts: 265
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Post by blueunicornj13 on Feb 15, 2015 9:51:51 GMT -5
Ryder glanced up at the sudden commotion of someone returning to the herd. There was a ripple of whispers as a large stallion thundered toward them. Ryder hadn't yet had the opportunity to speak to the Exile Captain in person, but he had heard many things about him over the time he had been with the Exiles. At the shocked and horrified expression on Kanu's face, Ryder glanced away, unable to look any more at the shock on the father's face. He couldn't even imagine what sort of emotions he was going through, what he was thinking. His daughter had been maimed by lunar ravens when he hadn't been around to protect her. If Ryder was in the same position, he couldn't even think of what he would be feeling.
As the white faced stallion pushed him to the side and out of earshot of the injured foal, Ryder pinned his ears slightly, listening to Kanu's harsh whisper. Ryder took a deep breath, preparing himself for the speech he would have to give to the worried parent. "Dawne was walking around the herd while you were out, and a flock of lunar ravens came and... they attacked her before anyone could even call for help. I was close by, so I ran over and fought them off, but it was already too late." Ryder explained. The wound on his shoulder that was plastered with smelly herbs was evidence enough that he had been attacked in his attempt to try and save the young foal, but if only he had gotten there sooner. Ryder locked his warm blue eyes with Kanu's icy ones. "I'm truly sorry. I put some herbs on her wounds and changed her bandages a couple of times, but she won't be able to um... see... any longer." Ryder said in a hesitant tone, trying his hardest to tell the news in as much of a comforting voice as he could, though worry seemed to fill his tone.
Leif pondered for a moment, trying to think of a way that he could successfully lead Dawne. "Um... I could just walk beside you and make sure there's nothing in your path and lead you around stuff." He offered with a warm smile. He rested his head on the injured foal's neck, careful to avoid any of the bandages and herbs that covered her wounds. "I'm really sorry those mean birds attacked you." ((lol I really need to get Leif's alter XD ))
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