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Post by paperwingsranch on Jun 14, 2015 21:49:41 GMT -5
Odette's front hooves scrabbled helplessly against the earth as the vines pulled her farther and farther away from Eden. Rocks and thorns alike tore at her coat and skin, small streaks of red being left in her wake. In one last desperate attempt to get away the small mare kicked out at the vine, the edge of her hoof catching on it and slicing it open. The thing recoiled as though in pain and Odette took the opportunity to scramble to her feet and take off back in the direction she had come; or at least the direction she thought she had come from.
She was hardly two strides away when suddenly there was a vine slithering up her front leg, squeezing her limb tightly as it wound itself around it. Letting out another shriek of fear Odette reared, throwing her front limbs out, trying to shake the plant off. The movement served to loosen its grip just enough for the blood bay to swing herself around to try running the other way. This time she managed to dodge away from the tendrils that grabbed for her, and began to sprint through the woods; not caring which way she was going, just as long as she got away from those vines.
Odette glanced back from checking over her shoulder for probably the millionth time just in time for her to see a rock that stood in her path. The obstacle wasn't unjumpable, so to avoid having to double-back, she gathered her legs beneath her and leaped. The moment she was in the air she knew she had made a mistake, and the vine which had promptly wrapped itself around her front legs --tying them together-- was proof of that. She hit the ground hard, and everything went black.
post 6 || +1 TP
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Post by ShinjuTsukuda on Jun 14, 2015 23:29:24 GMT -5
Tamera|Knight
Just as she was about to make up her mind the shriek of another horse caught her attention. It was Odette's voice that echoed through out the forest, the mare seem to have been caught in some kind of trouble and the night didn't help the situation. Oh how Tamera wished she ended up having night vision instead it would have been really helpful right now... There was no time as much as she would love to catch up to Vasska she knew that if she went on any longer the more dangerous it would have become for the blood bay mare. In an attempt to try and not lose all of her team mate Tamera looked around for something that had a sharp jagged edge so she could carve on the tree. Hastening her self she bit on one of the rocks she found near the bushes and shoved a few vines out of the way as she carved a few scratches in hope that Ciel and Vasska would be able to understand and find their way back to where they originally started out from.
Every time she would pass by several trees she would leave quick marks on them as she hurried towards the sound of Odette's last shriek. All the grullo mare could do was hope that Eden was near by Odette as that could get the blood bay a higher chance at begin rescued from what ever has scared her so much. The odd thing was that it had seems to feel like ages galloping through the darken forest trying to go back the same way as before, maybe it was just due to all the annoying grasping vines keeps lashing out any chance it gets at her. The mare was very thankful she was very flexible and in aid of her fasten reaction time the she would slip through them rather easily,well almost easily.
Not far off from their original starting point a second shriek could be heard in this time coming from a different direction...
"What, you got to be kidding me its that fast?" She yelled out loud as she tried to sprint her fasted toward the new direction.
"ODETTE!" She yelled in hope of hearing the blood bay reply back so she could finally pin point where the mare was, and what was taking hold of her.
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Post by arcanamajor on Jun 15, 2015 1:40:07 GMT -5
Tem jumped, ducked, and scrambled through the foliage in a mad dash. His king was big enough to leave an obvious path, so it wasn't tough to follow, but he felt frantic nonetheless. What if something happened to him? Or to Ciel? He had to be there to orchestrate a daring rescue. Or at least lend a hoof. As he ran he couldn't help but worry about his king and former friend. Trust them to get into trouble. Idiots, he thought fondly.
He finally found them not long after. Ciel rested on the ground, with Vasska attempting to place him on his back. It was slow going, as the shetland stallion seemed completely out of it.
"Ciel!" Tem called worriedly. "Oh goodness. Is he okay?"
He nudged his friend gently, but received no response. Pacing, he watched as his king continued to try and wedge him on his back. Huffing, Tem went to help. He wasn't tall, or strong, or able to carry Ciel himself, but he could definitely help! With great determination, he grabbed Ciel's fluffy mane with his teeth and started pulling.
"We need to get him back to the others," he spoke, muffled through all the hair and his clenched teeth. "I can try and see what's wrong with him. I'm a terrible healer, but I'll try. And then-" A shriek from behind them interrupted Tem's ramble. His head shot up and he almost let Ciel go. That had been one of the mares. Tamera? Probably not. Ohdette, then. He felt bad about leaving her. What was going on back there?
He could hear more yelling. Eden, this time? At least Ohdette wasn't alone. Tem's ears flattened.
"I have to admit I am a teensy bit terrified," he mumbled. "But I will defend you valiantly nonetheless, sire!"
Words: 300
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Post by noodlesenpai on Jun 15, 2015 4:09:11 GMT -5
This is i'. I'm bloody dead, I am. So why the hell am I so calm?!
These two sentences were his initial reaction to the lifting sensation the duo of Tem and Vasska were supplying to him, his fuzzy coat completely numb as it pressed against the King's. The stallion managed to get the pudgy pony onto his back, but not without great difficulty. The shetland was probably heavier than expected, despite his small stature. So, this is wha' dyin' feels like, eh? A vivid picture was painted within his delirious mind resembling a rather whimsical lucid dream. He was floating to the light above, mounted upon a cloud that strangely resembled Vasska, lifting him farther upwards. He squinted his eyes to shield the artificial light from his pupils, and instinctively raised his hoof to try and touch the light, seemingly testing if whether or not it was reality. "Wha'.. wha' the hell?! Is tha'... Tem?!" his dream self exclaimed as he spied a rather familiar looking Tem- except with the wings of a swan. He was spiralling upwards, helping the King-shaped cloud lift him. All Ciel could do was stare in disbelief- with a hint of horror- as he realized that this wasn't reality. But if this wasn't reality, what was it? His uncertainty and fretfulness increased dramatically as he realized that he could not wake. Even the Tem-angel stared blankly past him, golden eyes transfixed on the bright light, as if he was anticipating something.
Of course, all of this was internal. Externally, the pony was lying limp on the back of his very own King, unknowing and scared.
OOC: Finally got the effects back! ;u;
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Post by queerly on Jun 15, 2015 10:51:16 GMT -5
Odette's glances had not gone unnoticed as the pair walked side by side, the follower's saffron gaze scraping across him with texture of sandpaper. Eden hated prolonged attention, because it almost always stemmed from one source: judgement. It didn't matter that he was a healer mage, that he was born gifted, or that he was a senior to most in his league. The Olde herd at large still viewed him as some sort of spectacle, the mare that thought herself a stallion. Demented, sinful, silly. He'd heard it all, each cutting word whispered behind his back or to his face. He didn't know which was worse, but he knew if Odette opened her mouth about it he'd push her into the next stream they came across, so help him unicorns --
Ede--
The buckskin's ears snapped back, and his head soon followed, seafoam eyes growing wide as Odette vanished into the darkness. He didn't see what had grabbed her. He didn't care. Instinct took over - his terrible, horrible instinct that threw him into danger rather than away from it - and he was lurching after the mare, shouting. He hoped the others could hear. More than that, he hoped he could help Odette. If a predator had caught hold of her...
"Odette!" He roared, tripping and stumbling over writhing flora. The vines were moving against him, he realized, skidding to a halt as they barricaded his path, petals pulsating. He could see Odette beyond them, rearing, kicking, struggling to get away. Blood pounded in his ears as she made a desperate bid for escape, leaping high into the air only to be brought crashing to the earth in a tangle of limbs.
His heart clenched when she didn't get up again.
He began to push against the vines, to tear at them with his teeth and his hooves. They vibrated with anger that was all too real, flinching in pain. He took the largest tendril in his mouth and bit hard, shaking it the way grass beasts snapped the necks of their kill. The vines jerked and slithered away lashing, spiteful in their surrender. Eden spat the bitter fibers from his tongue and hurried to Odette's side.
"Odette, hey, I'm here. Get up, come on." He whispered frantically, leaning down to push his nose against her neck, trying to entice her to sit up. One of the tendrils guarding her tangled within his tail. He didn't realize it until the plant was dragging him backwards, and a graceless squawk was leaving his lips. Eden began to scramble, hooves carving gauges in the dirt.
Odette!
The healer's black-tipped ears perked as he caught the sound of Tamera's voice. The vine was still pulling, dragging him away from its hard-won catch. "TAMERA!" He roared.
Fifth Post - 10 WG
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Post by elesette on Jun 15, 2015 13:06:33 GMT -5
"I'm not sure." Vasska's frowned at the softly breathing body on the ground. He nodded a stoic agreement to Tem. They did need to get him out of here. Didn't the younger mage realize that he was trying to do just that? He pulled Ciel gently by the mane to readjust his position, and knelt on the ground. "Help me get him on my back" He ordered the young healer-mage to help him.
Vasska struggled at first to find a way to heave the smaller form onto his back, but as soon as Tem came to his aid the two were able to situate him with relative ease onto the king's back. He let out a sigh of relief. They were mobile now. He sucked in a breath - now they just had to reunite with Odette and the others. As far as the king knew the largest danger was eating the the flowers - as the small Ciel had seemed to prove. The other's shouts and screams made him nervous though - what could possibly be happening deeper in the forest?
The king began immediately walking in the direction of the screams when ciel grumbled in his sleep. At least the poor lad was alive. They'd get him out of here. He was happy too though, that he had Tem to look over the little bay. Maybe at least - he would be able to figure out what was wrong and help him.
"You're not a Defender Mage Tem" Vasska started as they walked, not meaning to sound demeaning, "and you're not a knight. You don't have to come to my defense... Could you just- maybe find out whats wrong with him?" He meant to reassure the bay with his words - but Vasska had no experience with subtle pep talks.
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Post by arcanamajor on Jun 15, 2015 13:26:49 GMT -5
It took them a bit of pulling and pushing, but eventually they managed to get Ciel on Vasska's broad shoulders. Tem watched in concern as his king started walking. He could just imagine Ciel sliding down and falling to the forest floor, face first. The small stallion was a tough cookie, but this was a considerable height. He loomed closer, walking side by side with Vasska in case Ciel slipped and he had to grab the horse's tail to keep him from falling. He'd have to apologize afterwards.
A vine twitched and so did Tem, jumping over it in a flail of limbs. He felt cold and though he kept on a brave face, he felt rather terrified. He still had his king, but what had happened to the others? The screaming had spooked him rather fierce.
"What if the plants got them? I've heard stories of huge plants with mouths that gobble down foals whole. What if bigger ones lurk in this forest?" he swallowed nervously. "What if there are fairies? Mother always said they could bewitch the senses and leave you chasing your own tail until you die of starvation. I don't want to die of starvation!"
"You're not a Defender Mage Tem and you're not a knight. You don't have to come to my defense... Could you just- maybe find out whats wrong with him?"
"Ah," Tem spoke, looking at his hooves. "Yes, of course."
His ears drooped. He'd been useless so far. He should have become a knight, really. Then he'd be strong and could have defended them from harm. Now he was just a healer. A healer who had no skill and even less experience. How was he supposed to fix Ciel when he could barely remember his training? Training he'd gotten through notes from a stranger. He had no idea of they even worked.
"I'll do my best," he mumbled.
He trotted over to the other side and glanced at Ciel's lax face. He seemed asleep and his breathing was steady, but occasionally he would twitch as if he were suffering from a wild dream. A curious situation.
Tem leaned forward. "I would appreciate it a lot if you could wake up." He glanced at Vasska. "Remember how I was going to impress someone one day? Because of reasons? Well, you waking up right now would help a bunch. So, ehm, pretty please?"
Words: 400
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Post by paperwingsranch on Jun 15, 2015 13:45:02 GMT -5
Odette didn't respond to Eden's voice, nor to his nose being pressed to her neck. To her everything had fallen away into a numb blackness; unaware of even her own existence. She remained limp and unresponsive as more vines moved to wrap themselves tightly around her middle, and begin to drag her away once more through the forest.
"Mommy, where are you going?" A copper head spun around, emerald eyes looking down at her. They looked sad, why was she sad? Was it something Odette had done? "Away, baby girl." Her silky voice soothed Odette, but the look in those warm green eyes still scared her. "When are you coming back mommy?...Mommy!?" The chestnut mare hadn't even responded before she'd turned around and begun walking away. Odette panicked, running after her mother, but just as soon tripped over something --actually, someone-- who was lying on the ground. "Odette..." They rasped, and the mare's heart dropped when she recognized the black form, "Odette, why didn't you save me?" "No...daddy I-" "You didn't save him," She was interrupted by a voice as cold and smooth as ice, "that's why I left, it's your fault. It's your fault mom and Claudia left, and your fault dad died! Its your own damn fault you're all alone Odette, stop blaming everyone else!" Odette squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to turn around and watch her other sister walk away from her. When she opened them again the landscape had transformed into one which was all too familiar. A rain swept field stood before her, the sounds of horses battling for their lives rang in her ears. She knew what was coming next as she spun around to come face to face with a monster of a stallion; his legs already thrown up to lash violent out at her. She flinched away, eyes closing tightly until she realized no pain had come. Slowly, she opened them, but immediately wished she hadn't. Before her lay the mangled and beaten form of her brother; what had attacked him was unclear, but it was painfully obvious he was dead. Odette fell to her knees, burying her face in his mane, smearing his blood on her muzzle in the process. "Nathaniel...no...why..."
"NO!" Odette yelled as she awoke with a start, trying to kick out with all four of her limbs only to have the vines still wrapped around them tighten their grip further. Looking around frantically, still spooked by the nightmare, Odette came to several conclusions. One; she was all alone here, wherever here was. Two; the vines were still holding onto her for dear life. Three; this was very, very bad.
"Help!...Is anyone there!?" She whinnied helplessly into the dark, struggling to get her hooves under her again. She managed to rise into and awkward sitting position only to be yanked forcefully back down by the vines. At this point the dark mare wouldn't be surprised if they started hissing or growling at her. With a deep sigh she gave up struggling --for now, at least-- and just laid there, closing her eyes and calming her breath. Now wasn't the time to panic, she had to stop and think about this...or at least hope the others were looking for her...'Oh, who am I kidding? Of course they're not, why would they? I'm not worth it...'
post 7 || +1 TP
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Post by ShinjuTsukuda on Jun 15, 2015 13:48:23 GMT -5
Tamera|Knight
Hoping to catch the mare's voice as she frantically looking around while trying to stay calm as the adrenaline rushed thought her body from the high stress levels.
TAMERA!
It was Eden's turn to yell out as his voice was just as distressed as Odette and this this new helping of sound the grullo mare knew where the two were. "I'M COMING HOLD ON!" She replied as she leap through the air dogging a large fallen tree that stood in her path, with just enough height from it she could see Eden slowly begin dragged as the poor stallion was trying to resit and carved at the dirt while Odette seems so lifeless not moving a single inch. Her heart dropped fearing that it was her stupid decision that she was to late to save even one of them, all in that moment her anger came back to her and she felt like she had to beat the living daylight out of those stupid vines with their little intoxicating flowers.
Tamera rushed to Eden's side seeing his tail was begin wrapped by the tendril as it constricted, determine to not let go of its new profound meal. "I'll get you out Eden,try not to loosen your gripping on the dirt." she spoke in a hasten mannered. She then reared up onto her hind legs before slamming down onto the thinner part of the vines where a crunching noise could be heard with liquids seeping out onto the ground, before it could let go of the stallion's tail Tamera was sure to make the dark green tendril a suffering before it was to retreated. She bit down into the previous wound that she had inflicted upon the vine with all the strength in her jaw had and pulled it upwards until it ripped in two, leaving bitterness in her taste buds.
"Quick get up Eden, we need to get Od-"
Tamera was interrupted as a smack dab pain filled her cheek as it felt like it was on flame, the force was so powerful she stumbled and landed on her side barely registering what had just happen until a few seconds later. "WHY YOU LITTLE, I SHALL MAKE YOU REGRET THAT WITH THE UNICORINS BLESSING!" The mare got back up and dived into vines as her mouth bit one one and her legs tried to scratch and stomp on the others that started to surround her.
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Post by queerly on Jun 16, 2015 13:26:54 GMT -5
"I'll get you out Eden,try not to loosen your gripping on the dirt."
"Right, doing m' best on that." Eden hissed through gritted teeth. The strain was making his front legs shudder like a sapling in the wind. For a moment, he was frantic with the idea that they might break, and then where would he be? Dead, probably. Eaten by magical vines. If he had to go, he supposed that wasn't the worst way. It'd make a great story for Taishen's children. 'Your uncle died by sentient flora, so very sad' he'd tell his hellions, born of whichever brood he managed to bed. Hopefully not the Queen, because then they'd both be dead, and who would tell the story then?
Crunch.
Suddenly, the pressure pulling on his tail was gone. That was both fortune and unfortunate. The former because he was no longer in immediate danger of death by plant, and the latter because without the vines pulling on his tail, his straining legs snapped him forward and down, muzzle-first into the dirt.
It hurt. A lot, actually.
By the time the stars cleared from his vision, Tamera was screaming death threats and fighting off vindictive tendrils. This was alarming. More alarming than that, however, was the fact that Odette was missing, and Odette was not a take-no-prisoners knight with the power to summon lightning bolts. “Right, okay, you’ve - you’ve got that?” He asked, pulling himself to his hooves as Tamera continued to thrash about. “Yeah, you’ve got that.”
Confidant that she could handle herself, Eden whipped his head towards the woods around them, ears pricked forward, listening.
Help! … Is anyone there?
There. Distantly, he could hear Odette’s voice, calling weakly into the dark. “Tamera! She’s this way,” He said, adding an internal I think, “you, ah- you catch up when you’re done.”
Guiltily, but still feeling Tamera had a far better chance than Odette at surviving murderous flora, Eden charged after the sound of the follower’s voice.
“Odette!” He called, thundering through foliage and past trees that seemed to curve inwards, suffocatingly close. “Keep talking, I’ll find you!”
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Post by elesette on Jun 18, 2015 21:12:57 GMT -5
Vasska gave Tem a light smile, he wanted to be encouraging to the young healer but hadn't the slightest idea what to say. That made him a whole 'nother world of nervous. He was learning how to be a leader, but it was things like this that made him doubt even his future capabilities. A sudden shift of weight of the Shetland on his back eliminated his smile - a grimace appearing on his face. The still life looked so small on the ground, but Ciel was much heavier than he had imagined. Still, he marched forward - hoping they would catch up to odette and the others before they were truly lost and scattered throughout the forest.
"Don't you have your gift?" He asked the little bay as they walked in the darkness, noticing his companion's dimming mood. " Maybe that could help you figure out what's wrong with him?" He nudged Tem lightly with his nose, and laughed as the horse's commentary to ciel hit his ears. His walking companion was a strange one indeed, but at least he was kind. He'd been met with some sincere hate in the last few years - Tem was a welcome friend in the darkest of situations, if only because of his kindness.
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Post by arcanamajor on Jun 19, 2015 3:48:41 GMT -5
The forest was dark, save for the ever so light glow of the nearby flowers, and above them the trees blocked out the sun. It made Tem restless and uneasy, especially when faced with an unconscious friend and his king stuck carrying him around. If they had to run, they'd be in trouble. Frustrated, he smacked down a hoof relentlessly on a vine that had threatened to snag Vasska's leg. This was starting to become dire. They had to find the others.
"Ciel," he murmured, nudging the other stallion. "Please wake up."
He knew his tone was becoming frantic, but he didn't know what to do. He was a healer, but the energy he was sending Ciel's way seemed to do nothing and he had none of the plants he'd normally use to speed things up. The stranger who'd always guided him would be ashamed. Tem was surprised Vasska didn't agree.
Ciel wobbled on Vasska's back and Tem grabbed his mane again, steadying him. "Don't go anywhere, you idiot," he said through thick hair. "Be glad you're being carried."
"Don't you have your gift?"
Tem sighed. His gift. He could bend light. It sounded like a good idea, indeed, but there was so little light in this dark forest that he didn't know where to find it. "I..." he fumbled. "I'm not strong enough to create my own yet. We'd need to find some natural light. Maybe through a gap in the canopy? I could see better, then, though, and maybe figure out what ails him."
He blushed as Vasska nudged him, but the heat was joined by embarrassment. A healer with no real skill and now he couldn't use his gift well enough either. Vasska had to think he was an idiot. A useless one too.
"It probably would have been better if Eden had joined you, sire, not me."
Words: 312
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Post by paperwingsranch on Jun 20, 2015 15:38:28 GMT -5
Odette heaved a sigh, her breath coating the ground in front of her with a light frost as it escaped her. It really was just her luck to be snatched away like this, end up in the middle of who knows where, and not even have a remotely useful gift. She could make things a little bit cold sometimes, great, that's helpful.
Her head snapped up when she heard Eden's shout, her ears straining to hear him. "Eden!?" She shouted into the dark, eyes scanning the forest around her trying to pick out his buckskin coat. "Eden!" She tried again to stand but the vines again were wound too tightly around her to allow more than a slight wiggle. Anxiety began to build in her gut as she laid there; some treacherous part of her brain trying to convince her that she hadn't heard Eden at all. That nobody was looking for her, that nobody cared enough to. Images and sounds from her nightmare played back through her mind; her sister's voice echoing hollowly in her skull.
"I'm here." She called out, though more softly this time, not entirely sure she wanted to be found at this point. How humiliating this was; being so helpless. Being the only truly helpless member of their party from the start. She wasn't special, or powerful, or really gifted beyond lightly frosting something right in front of her. She was just a pathetic little follower, a damsel in distress waiting for some knight in shinning armor to sweep in and rescue her, and she absolutely hated it.
post 8 || +1 TP
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Post by ShinjuTsukuda on Jun 20, 2015 17:03:43 GMT -5
Tamera|Knight
In her thrashing moments she heard as Eden shouted that Odette was somewhere between the dark parts as he heard her voice which reassured Tamera as she thought it was just her mind playing tricks on her. He told the grullo mare to catch up when she was done taking care of the flora as he got up and went towards where he presumed Odette was. "Alright!" she shouted afraid he might not hear her. The vines did not seem to relent as they started to grab one leg and pulled it, how she wished her gift would come more in handy they just light a few sparks here and there. "Why couldn't there be a thunderstorm here?!" she angrily shouted as she tried to free herself from her current holding. If the mare wasn't careful she be dragged off as well and who knows what will happen to her...Wait, but then again what would happen if she let it lead her towards its center? Like most plants there seem to always be a main plant often called mother, and if she was correct then if she was able to take out then perhaps this might save Odette and anyone else from begin its new meal! It was as if a light bulb had started shining over her head.
She knew that she was suppose to catch up with her other two mates, but at this rate if she didn't think of letting her self begin taken off she could be here for hours. This is a very risky thing, but then again Tamera's strength did not lie in her tactic-less mind she was more of the jump in and deal with it later. As her decision was final she stop thrashing about letting the vines do their job as if on que they stop warping so tightly around her and pulled her in the opposite direction that Eden had went. All she could hope now was that she was either right, and if not then she will be the next meal it consume.
WG Earned- + 10 Tier Earned- + 3
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Post by queerly on Jun 21, 2015 0:34:40 GMT -5
Eden!?
The buckskin came to an abrupt halt, neck craned and ears swiveling. What direction? He wondered frantically, seafoam eyes scanning the trees for whatever good it did. Darkness and more darkness, without a hint of bay dun in between. Whose bright idea was it to wander into the forest at night without a night-eye gifted horse on the team? Eden shook his head and willed himself to focus, closing his eyes in favor of fine tuning his hearing. The forest swallowed sounds and dispersed them from all directions. Was it messing with him? No, that was insane -
A vine wrapped around his hock, and Eden gave a little buck to throw it off, yelping. Perhaps the forest was messing with him.
Eden!
The healer's head snapped up. From the left! He was sure of it, yes, that was where her voice was coming from. "Hang on, I'm coming!" He called, dimly aware that his presence was cold comfort. Mopping someone up after a battle, yeah, he could do that. Fending off killer vines? We'll see.
Eden pushed through underbrush and thorns, his coat glittering where the barbs dug into his skin, minor cuts healing as quickly as they appeared. He ducked as a vine lashed for his face, breathing a furious little not today as his hooves tore into a second tendril, smashing a glowing flower into glowing pieces.
I'm here.
And so she was, almost right infront of him. Eden came stumbling valiantly crashing through the bramble that separated them and rushed to the mare's side, ears flat to his poll. "Dragged you away far enough, didn't they? Okay- hold on to your hooves, I'm gonna try to get you out of there." With 'try' being the key word, the buckskin began to bite at the vine pinning Odette's withers, the bitter taste spreading across his teeth and tongue. Don't swallow, don't swallow, don't swallow, he told himself, recalling what happened when dumb little healers ate dumb magical plants.
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