|
|
Post by elesette on Jun 2, 2015 18:30:36 GMT -5
 Welcome to Olde Plot 003 : The Exile's Curse Plot:
This group blames the odd things going around the old isle on the exiles that had “turned tail and ran”
and with Vasska's order go to protect the land bridge to make sure none stay to close to olde.
Will they find Exile vermin still on their soil?
Team Captain:
"Bloom" (Queerly)
Team Members:
Taishen
Alabaster
Freya
AralynneArabella
Checkpoints Reached:None Rules:1. The Captain of the team must post first 2. A posting order must be kept as people enter the rp. 3. No god modding 4. React to the Checkpoints as they come! (If you don't know what a checkpoint is - don't worry - you'll know when they come!) 5. Communicate with your partners! 6. Have fun!!!! How the posting order works: Bloom must post first. Anyone can post after Bloom. They can post back and forth until someone else posts, when someone else posts they must be entered into the posting order. Example. Bloom Freya Bloom Freya Taishen Bloom Freya Taishen Bloom Freya Taishen Sparrowanel Janice Bloom Freya And so on. This means you do not have to wait for someone to join, but once they do their first post you must wait for them. 
|
|
|
|
Post by queerly on Jun 5, 2015 2:15:15 GMT -5
Dawn had come with familiar shades of pink and orange. The sunlight reflected on Bloom’s sunshine hair and kissed her coat a dusky shade of orange. There were clouds rolling in from the ocean, and with them came the winter winds, so violent that the ocean crashed against the coast like a wild animal and her nose reddened from the sting.
She had never known a chill like this before. It sank deep into her bones, made her teeth chatter and her ears press hard against her poll. Her body was riddle with anxiety, with worry that her crown would be torn from her, or that a misspoken word might alert the subjects following her that something was… amiss, about their queen. That something was wrong.
But that was not the only thing plaguing her. The queen had been feeling under the weather all morning. From the time her husband had gently nudged her awake to the present, a nausea had been curling in Bloom’s stomach like a furious snake - and it showed no signs of abating.
“We,” She began, and paused as she nearly gagged, breath catching in her lungs. Bloom came to a halt and swallowed, eyes closed, before she raised her head and willed her composure to slowly knit back together. When she turned to her comrades, she looked nothing if not properly queenly, her posture regal and tall. “We will be arriving at the land-bridge soon, my subjects, my dear friends. Our King bids us to drive the Exiles from our lands, for they have brought only terrors and darkness. We need not harm them,” She added, for it seemed something the real Bloom would insist, and she wished it herself besides, “but we must drive them back, just as the Great Compromiser banished them so long ago. Perhaps then the Unicorns will forgive us, and the twisted magic plaguing our island will withdraw.”
Her gentle eyes drifted across their faces. Aralynne, so young and beautiful, her heart made of gold. Freya, strong and diplomatic. Alabaster, devout and opinionated. Taishen… she could not look at him, for she worried what she might see there. Confusion, certainly. Disbelief, perhaps. Worst of all, though, would be pity. Such an emotion would be wasted on her. “My friends, will you follow me? Will you devote yourself to your king’s command and drive these barbarians from our home?”
Posting Order Reminder:
Bloom
Taishen
Aralynne
Alabaster
Freya
Arabella
|
|
|
|
Post by jennycallie on Jun 5, 2015 19:28:55 GMT -5
“Will you devote yourself to your king’s command…”
The words, words that called to the pinnacle of his upbringing as an Olde stallion, the very foundation that his noble and majestic herd was built upon, did not rouse the intended patriotic fervor. No, instead the chestnut found his own gaze cutting away from his queen, unaware of her mirroring of the action as his own gut clenched.
He hadn’t felt right about a single facet of this mission since he’d learned of it’s existence, and his own subsequent assignment. Indeed, Tai’s initial disquiet at the idea of driving out Exiles, had only grown, blossomed in to all out unease.
It just…
It didn’t feel right. Whether or not the ancestors of the Exiles had been criminal, Tai very much found fault with the idea that the Exiles of today remained so tainted, paying for the mistakes of horses they’d never met, religious stances (obviously wrong) notwithstanding. Taishen knew he was alone (or maybe, perhaps, not quite alone…) in this, but he privately felt that one’s religious beliefs did not impact their overall character, or how they were to be valued. If Eden had taught him anything, it was that an individual’s character was not best judged by the surface values of the society.
But such thoughts were complicated, and confusing, and… dangerous, perhaps. So the mage had kept his mouth shut, and accepted his assignment as decreed by his King. As was right.
But of course, the treatment of the Exiles was not the only reservation clawing anxious tendrils through the stallion’s gut as he traveled with his group, for he knew… he knew he wasn’t the only one present with such views, and confusion rippled through the stallion. Confusion, laced with guilt.
And then Bloom was speaking, and her words (why, why was she saying such things?) struck a chord deep in the mage, dropping his gaze from the object of such confusion to land on Aralynne. Not much better on the confusion front- Tai looked to his other side quickly, eyes resting around Alabaster’s hooves. Nothing confusing there.
“Will you devote yourself to your king’s command…”
The words ran through Tai’s mind like a pack of grass beasts, chasing round and round in circles.
Would he? Or was he already set firmly on another path?
Unconsciously, Tai raised his eyes, met Bloom’s olive green ones, so shining in the morning light.
His Queen. He swallowed once, with some difficulty. An answer was clearly required here, even if he had nothing in his heart but questions.
“We follow you where you lead, my Queen,” he said quietly, holding her gaze as long as he could, aware that his confusion and questions were flickering in his own eyes as they regarded each other.
[Post 1]
|
|
|
|
Post by corruptpudding on Jun 5, 2015 22:25:09 GMT -5
"We need not harm them."
If not for Alabaster's deep set distaste of confrontation and horror at the mere thought of procuring a permanent abrasion he might not have found the restraint within himself to agree with his Queen.
As a foal, he had always accepted the tales told to him describing the evil doings of other herds; The brutality of the bachelors and the lawlessness of the exiles. It was not until recently, however, that these tales had been made a reality for him.
First of all, the savage bachelors had stolen his neice. He'd had to trek halfway across the eastern isle with two disagreeable ragamuffins for companions and a duo of chronically irritating magpies in order to rescue her, not to mention he'd been limping on a severely wounded leg the entire time.
And if that weren't enough he had...
The snowy colored stallion's train of mental ranting faded as he happened to notice Taishen from the corner of his eye. The dark stallion was starring at Al's ebony hooves. Alabaster followed the other's gaze with a subtle, if dismayed droop of his jawline. His lovely hooves were not their usual well kept black luster. In fact, he had completly forgotten about their arduous upkeep ever since...well...ever since the exiles had proven true to their evil ways and in doing so ruined his life and quite possible his future reputation should the herd find out.
Upon the exiled herds arrival to the Olde island, Alabaster has been cautious. They seemed decent enough as far as strangers went, but then things had gotton personal.
The humilation still stung as sharply and painfully as the day he had ventured into the silver wood searching for stargazer lilies. He had met an exile there, and as much as he wanted to rat out the nasty little nonbeliever and expose his unwelcome presence for punishment, he was too utterly embarrassed to reveal anything of the subject. If anyone were to discover that exile's intentions... Alabaster supressed a shiver.
That rotten horse was a decendant of criminal stock and had proven himself the monster of the foal's tales when he had voilated an Olde mare, and not just any Olde mare, but the very one Alabaster had been courting.
His distress had been seething within ever since, tainted with equal parts humilation and anger. Other herds were a bane on the Olde's existence, in Alabaster's opinion the Great Compromises should have done more than simply banish those unworthy horses, he should have rid the land of Chevalin of their pollutive existence for all generations to come.
Was he with his Queen? Would he obey his King's command?
Alabaster dipped his head respectfully to the regal, pale coated mare standing before him.
"My Queen, my loyalty to my herd is stronger than ever, I will do whatever it takes to cleanse our land of these exiles." he spoke with the utmost sincerity, his warm brown eyes hardened with a vengeful resolve. Those sinners would regret the day they set hoof upon the Olde Island.
|
|
vestrasaur
Newcomer
Light is a path that you can see, Where in Darkness is a journey into the unknown.
Posts: 6 
|
Post by vestrasaur on Jun 5, 2015 23:25:16 GMT -5
'Follow our queen, Serving the King and our Ancestors..'
Freya wanted nothing more than to serve and help in whatever way she could.
I looked around observing my surroundings and the other horses that I was on this mission with, Alabaster.. A stallion I've never met, Aralynne.. A stunning mare I've seen a few times before but never met either, Taishen.. That stallion I do know.. Though we are not close I can tell he's not too certain about this mission.
I was comfortable with my partners and having Bloom as our leader, She's a trustworthy leader and I would follow her order without question. Evaluating the situation and the mission in front of us; Exiles in Olde territory, We must make sure these traitors stay Exiles and never to return but trying to see that ending without bloodshed is too difficult for my realistic mindset. You cannot simply put two rival clans together and expect them to comply to one another without blood.. It just doesn't happen like a fairy tale would have you believe. Unfortunately for us that means we have to be smart in our choices and keeping each other calm is mandatory.
"I will follow your lead and honor our ancestors till my heart beats it's final beat" I said softly, Kneeling respectfully but yet looking the beautiful mare in the eyes with intense compassion.
|
|
|
|
Post by elesette on Jun 6, 2015 0:05:02 GMT -5
 Latecheckpointislate |
|
|
|
Post by crizzii on Jun 6, 2015 11:24:01 GMT -5
The silhouette of the small filly stood in the distance, not far from the group of horses from her herd. Nothing had been the same for her after the incident in the Bachelors; she learned that not all horses were nice and that some could be cruel and do such horrible things to an innocent horse.
But most important, she learned she could not trust any stallion.
“…Our King bids us to drive the Exiles from our lands, for they have brought only terrors and darkness…”
With the Queen’s words, a small shiver ran through her spine as her bright blue eyes rested blankly on the ground before her. The Exiles… Would they be just as cruel as the Bachelors? She closed her eyes, trying not to picture the blood spilled on the ground and the despair of the screams… Enough.
Arabella opened her eyes slowly and looked up. She decided to walk cautiously closer to her herdmates. Trying not to interrupt their conversation, the little cream-colored filly stood beside her dear uncle. She wasn’t sure if she should speak or not, but felt it already too weird being the only folly in the group, so she decided to stay quiet and just stand close to the snowy white stallion.
Next to her uncle, she felt safe and protected. He was the only stallion she felt she could really trust in all Chevalin. Oh, how she wished she would have listened to him before she got captured by the Bachelors, perhaps everything would have been different… Arabella looked up at him, her blue eyes showing curiosity, but it was overpowered by the fear that covered her gaze. She didn’t say anything, but instead she shivered a bit and pushed herself softly towards him. She wanted to feel the protection and the confidence that her uncle Alabaster always gave her, and she was sure she would need it before the time of facing the Exiles came.
|
|
|
|
Post by queerly on Jun 7, 2015 0:03:41 GMT -5
"It heartens me to hear your devotion." The Queen told them gently. "Together we will cleanse our lands of the Exiles' taint. Surely, the unicorns will smile upon us this day."
Tried though she had to avoid it, Bloom found herself catching Taishen's eye. His agreement to their cause had been soft-spoken, which had alarmed her; the flaxen chestnut was never quiet. Inevitably it had drawn her gaze towards him, and now they stood regarding one another, his eyes holding questions that she couldn't bare to answer. To answer them would be to spin a thicker web of lies... and she had already lied to him so many times. The guilt was a weight on her chest. It was insidious, dark tendrils that coiled around her heart and choked the life from the her lungs. You should have never, ever gotten attached to any of them, she thought, and turned away, beginning to walk once more, her silver tail slithering through the tender grass.
She had a sinking feeling that Taishen would try to walk alongside her, perhaps take advantage of a quiet moment and lay out the questions she'd spied in his gaze. She wanted to avoid that if she could. She looked around herself discreetly, and almost immediately, her olive eyes alighted on Arabella.
The filly was a delicate creature with roses in her hair. She looked sweet, and more than that, she looked afraid. Bloom offered her a small, gentle smile. "Come walk with me, child." She called. Taishen wouldn't be able to whisper his concerns in her ear with Arabella so close, and a part of her did hope that walking alongside the Queen might ease the filly's worries, or the very least distract her with admiring disbelief. If there was anything that Bloom had learned about the mare she'd replaced, it was that the real Bloom had been beloved, inspiring quite a bit of admiration with her ethereal beauty and kindness.
Bloom was... jealous, to be honest. She wished that she could be loved as earnestly as the true queen had been.
The landbridge that connected Olde to the East loomed in the distance, a golden strand of thread against the velvet, dawn-pinkened sea. The sight brought an odd sense of nostalgia that the mare couldn't quite place. "Keep your eyes open, friends. We cannot let even one Exile remain on the island if we have any hope of reversing the plague upon us."
|
|
|
|
Post by jennycallie on Jun 7, 2015 4:01:51 GMT -5
Indeed, as the small group had all acquiesced to their Queen's soft, dismaying words, and had continued on their journey east, into the sun, Tai had harbored the notion of moving to Bloom's side. What he would do once he had her attention... he didn't know. It was one thing (and quite bad enough as it was) to debate politics, bounce ideas off each other in private, but here? In this intimate group, assigned a mission? Surely it was not the place for one of his and the Bloom's... typical, conversations.
But he couldn't, he couldn't stay silent either. The mage had agreed to this mission as commanded by his King (and, for some reason, Queen) as was his duty as a defender and herd member. Of course he wished to protect his herd and lands. But this- searching out any Exiles, driving them away and using their presence as an easy, convenient explanation for the recent turmoil? Was that really defending his herd, or wrongfully punishing another? Taishen knew his opinion on the matter, and he thought he had known her opinions as well... yet here they were.
Yes, he had to talk to her. And so it was with a determined lifting of his head that the stallion made to move up to her side, effortlessly lengthening his strides-
He almost stumbled in shock as Bloom, without even looking at him, seemed to divine his very notion and called the young rook Arabella to her side instead, effectively shutting him out; he certainly couldn’t demand answers of his Queen in front of Arabella.
As Tai tried to casually resume his normal walking speed, he felt his ears tipping back in outraged indignation. Ignore him, would she? Her defender mage? Lead him on this fear-mongering, hateful excuse of a mission, and not even have the decency to meet his eyes? The stallion’s chest swelled at the injustice of it. It would only be much later, so much later, that the stallion would realize how such a reaction was a warning sign, an indicator of how far from normalcy his relationship with the Queen had strayed.
He pointedly looked at Aralynn, then swung his gaze to catch Alabaster and Freya.
“I hesitate to speak out of turn,” he said casually, but in a voice that would clearly be audible to Bloom, “for we do as our King and Queen command.” He paused delicately, then continued, “but have we any evidence that our misfortunes are the fault of Exiles? I’ve heard of none, but perhaps,” his eyes turned forward for a moment, penetrating the back of Bloom’s head with a very non-casual glance, “I have simply not been informed.” He waited a moment, flicking his braided tail. “Because if not, then it seems likely we are harassing horses who do not deserve it, and wasting our time as well.”
He’d like to hear Bloom explain this, and her fault that it’d be to the group at large and not just him.
Signs, warning signs everywhere, but he did not see. Or perhaps, did not want to.
[Post 2]
|
|
|
|
Post by RusticLass on Jun 7, 2015 22:27:17 GMT -5
[ Aralynne | Healer Mage ]
It had been a long time since she had been assigned to a group like this. . .
And this experience wasn't proving to be any better than the last. If anything, it was quickly on the path to becoming much, much worse. The nervous mare listened closely to what was said by each of the horses around her, and slowly but surely, her ears fell backwards as her discomfort grew. Her past had to be known in the herd. . . she'd had to tell them and renounce her old ways to be able to join, and had claimed her purity at the merciful hooves of the unicorns, but. . . she couldn't help feeling an affinity for the herd that had raised and supported her for most of her life. Currently though, this entire situation gave her anxiety. It hadn't taken five minutes before the butterflies were fluttering madly around inside her stomach, and when Taishen glanced at her before addressing the Queen more frankly, her eyes widened until the whites of her eyes shown nearly an inch about her iris.
It was to be expected that Bloom was so solidly against the Exiles, and for the others to also agree whole-heartedly with her, but she was surprised by Taishen's much friendlier stance. This fact should comfort her. . . but at the moment, she felt as though she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. . .
What had his glance meant? Aralynne's heart hammered against her chest as she stared between her leader and her friend, having to draw in a deep breath to keep herself calm, and failing miserably in the process. Unicorns, please, just make it stop! she pleaded silently. Conflict was not her specialty. Nor was disagreement. Or speaking, really. . . voicing her opinions? Yeah, right. No.
She would just have to remain silent. Lynnie cast a fearful, but apologetic look at the back of Taishen's ears, and she hoped that he wouldn't take this against her. . .
[ post 1 ; 330 words ]
|
|
|
|
Post by corruptpudding on Jun 8, 2015 10:59:23 GMT -5
A warmth brushed Alabaster's shoulder and his gaze fell upon the petite form of his niece pressing against him as the small group took up walking once more. The turmoil arouse in him again as he saw the fear betraying her sky-blue eyes. She hadn't been the same since he'd recaptured her from those blasted bachelors. She was quieter...more subdued. And then there was the whole fear of stallions. She seemed to avoid the other males of her herd except for himself. He was about to whisper a few words of comfort into her ears, but then another voice ventured before his own. The queen. He glanced between Bloom and Arabella before offering an encouraging nod to his young niece.
The party resumed their pace and all seemed set on their goal before Taishen began to spout off the most ridiculous bunch of hooey Alabaster had ever heard. Was he seriously considering leaving those wretched exiles alone?!
It wasn't like Alabaster to show a temper, but he had had it with the interference of other herds. Taishen had apparently failed to recognize their threat despite the war. Exiles had fought on the side of the bachelors and those that fought with Olde had fled when things started looking ugly. They just couldn't be trusted.
Alabaster's brown eyes glanced across the group of horses he walked with and in doing so witnessed something of hesitation in the mare Aralynne. It was surprising just how much she resembled his niece, but not so surprising she should feel akin to a herd other than Olde. He guised his disgust over it all with a proud jerk of his head that slid his silky white forelock down one side of his face, obscuring the disagreeable expression he could not himself dispose.
The Arabian inched closer to the mare Freya, she seemed decent enough and had already pledged her resolution to follow the King and Queen's orders. His eyes tore desperately into her own, searching for an affirmative, a nod of approval, something! He needed her to side with him on this.
|
|
vestrasaur
Newcomer
Light is a path that you can see, Where in Darkness is a journey into the unknown.
Posts: 6
|
Post by vestrasaur on Jun 8, 2015 13:08:46 GMT -5
I kept a steady pace as I walked beside the other horses in the group. I overheard Taishen speaking about the mission and the Exiles, but I decided to voice my own opinion on the matter.
"Taishen.. I know you mean well and I know you just want this to be just in reasoning but the Exiles are Exiles for a reason. They weren't unjustly sentenced without the proper reasoning... Vasska and his advisors know what they are doing and if they deem them unworthy to be in the group then I'll go along with his decision unless I see in my own terms that is unjust, Also don't you think that if they were to repent and want to be back in the group the unicorns would see to it and that they know above all else and have more knowledge than we can ever fathom?.." I caught my breath and sighed "I myself do not like conflict and bloodshed but when I was in the war I saw what the Bachelors can do and the Exiles teamed up with the Bachelors against us... I don't know about you but that in itself makes me not trust them one iota.. we must find them and root them out before they infiltrate us and destroy us from the inside out... Taishen what do you think they will do to our future generations if they want to eradicate us? They will be the first ones in danger.. Would you be able to walk away from this knowing that if we don't do our job we will end up killing more than just a few exiles.. we'll be killing our future.. we don't even know if we have to kill them yet.. This isnt just directed at you.. it's directed to everyone in the group" I turned my head slightly to meet Alabaster in the eyes and nodded knowing his intentions are similar in the likes of mine.
I decided to speak to the proud stallion as I've never had the chance to before. " Alabaster.. I hope you don't find me rude or instigating but what relation is Arabella to you?.. She seems to stick extra close to you whereas she's understandably weary of others.. " I asked in a soft tone only wanting to know more about the others.
(I read your history btw but it's something Freya would be intrigued by)
|
|
|
|
Post by crizzii on Jun 8, 2015 21:41:30 GMT -5
Arabella’s big rounded eyes were fixed on the ground as they walked. She really had no intentions of talking, nor listening to the adult’s conversation. All she knew was that there where Exiles on their home, and they were deciding if they should kick them out.
The little filly just stayed close to her uncle, until the sound of the Queen’s gentle voice spoke to her. She looked up, and stared at her in disbelief. Was it really, the Queen Bloom whom asked her to walk by her side…? Arabella had lived most of her life, since she could remember, admiring the beautiful Queen. She adored the gentle mare and wished to be just as beautiful and kind like her when she grew up.
Now, was she just dreaming, or did Bloom really ask her that question?
Arabella looked confused at her uncle, but noticed he was encouraging her to go with her. The filly gulped down nervously, and hurried up a bit her pace to catch up with the Queen. She looked back at her uncle once more, not sure of what to do, but she felt confident enough after she saw him nod. Arabella turned back and looked at her; her bright blue eyes gained back a bit of the shine they had lost long ago, and a little, barely visible smile crossed her mouth as she walked alongside the Queen.
|
|
|
|
Post by queerly on Jun 10, 2015 2:21:36 GMT -5
As Arabella settled beside her, Bloom caught the filly's gaze and returned it with a gentle smile. "A horse could mistake us for sisters." She noted, because Arabella did so much remind her of Bloom, the real Bloom, with her creamy coat and starlight hair. Guilt swelled in the Queen's chest, festering and nagging. The queen's abduction had been necessary, but that didn't help her sleep any better at night.
"I hesitate to speak..."
Taishen's voice was a sudden stone underfoot: it sent her stumbling and left a bruise blossoming in vulnerable flesh. The monarch halted, dark hooves digging deep into dirt that was quickly turning to sand. Though the chilly wind still stung her nose and the sea grass lashed at her legs, she scarcely felt anything beyond the bubbling embarrassment that was working up the back of her throat and spreading into a tangible flush across her cheeks. Her ears flattened as he continued to speak, so polite and choosy with his words.
Perhaps his diplomacy fooled the others, but she felt the barbs for what they were. They tore at her like the claws of a grassbeast, and it took everything she had not to swing her head towards him, to stomp a hoof and demand how dare he.
He was her defender mage, not one of her husband's advisers. He was meant to protect, and to fight where she asked it of him, trusting in her judgement. And didn't he tust her? Did he not believe that her motives were pure? Surely she had sewn that seed deep enough to take root.
Before she could voice her dissappointment (and likely let her own indignation get the better of her), Freya was speaking. Bloom turned her head just enough to eye the splotched mare. She was a knight, the queen recalled... and on her side of Taishen's small rebellion. The queen's heart gladdened for it. Perhaps peer pressure would be enough to quiet her peacock.
"You speak wisely, Freya. As wise as a mare twice your age." She told the knight. Her voice came out as steady and gentle as she'd hoped it would. Confidant that her anger was contained, she turned to face her small band of crusaders. "Let us not forget that the Exiles were banished by the Great Compromiser himself. Arryn, and all of his wicked followers, were banished to the bottom of the world. There these criminals were meant to fester for all of eternity... and we," she looked from Alabaster to Freya, from Aralynne to Arabella, and at last let her cool gaze settle on Taishen. "foolishly allowed them to return to our holy lands."
The queen flicked her golden tail. "Ever since we allowed these thieves into our home, the island has become violent. The first true unicorn to be seen in hundreds of years, your king, knows the truth. Our prophet Eiru has seen it in her visions. Our misfortunes are on our heads. We must ask for forgiveness, but first we must correct our error. We must drive away the Exiles, these vicious horses without morality and who lack loyalty even to one another -- or our island, or HOME, will be lost to us."
The queen swung her head towards Alabaster, meeting the stallion's eyes, imploring the adviser to speak in her defense as well. Perhaps he could knock some sense where it needed to be knocked.
|
|
|
|
Post by jennycallie on Jun 10, 2015 17:18:17 GMT -5
Well, this had gotten out of hoof rather quickly, and Tai supposed he had only himself to blame. But that did nothing to cool his overflowing miasma of confused, jealous rebellion. Indeed, it had quite the opposite effect.
It didn’t help that Aralynne seemed determined to stay out of the discussion; Tai had been hoping that his friend might lend some sympathy towards the Exiles, seeing as how she’d lived among them and there wasn’t anything cursed about her. But of course, the healer hated conflict, and Tai devoted a moment to feeling slightly ashamed for dragging her in to this, when she was so clearly uncomfortable. Only a moment, though.
Then he was swelling with indignation again as Alabaster and Freya shared a very knowing glance, and Freya patiently chided him, as if he were still a rook, and Alabaster kept his gaze firmly turned away. First Bloom, now this- Tai’s ego was taking quite the beating. Never a good thing, especially without the presence of Eden who could take him down a peg with a well-placed kick. Aralynne could as well, but of course, she never would. Not good.
By the time Freya had finished the speech she clearly intended as calming, Tai’s golden tail was lashing double-time against his hocks, and he was positively bursting with a rebuttal- but his gaze snapped instead forward, as Bloom finally decided she could ignore the situation no longer. Tai felt a moment of smug gratification, but his smirk vanished like a popped bubble as her words washed over him, a scowl settling across his countenance. Oh, she wanted to go here, did she? The truth, was it?
The mage stamped a front hoof in irritation, spraying sand. The salty breeze lifted his forelock from his face, and in any other situation Tai might have been pleased with the dramatic image he thusly presented, and would have been side-eyeing Lynne and Bloom (signs, everywhere) to see if they’d noticed and were suitably impressed. Now however, he was much too ruffled; Tai was never one to take embarrassment or correction well, if he felt unjustly accused.
Brown eyes narrowed as he and Bloom locked gazes, Tai felt very much wronged. It was only with a very great effort that he bit off his initial retort, and took a deep breath.
He was a defender mage of Olde; it would not do for him to publicly (publicly) question the Queen and via extension, the King. His younger days of blurting out exactly what was running through his mind were past him.
“I must disagree.”
Okay, mostly past him. He looked at his Queen, his friend, he had perhaps foolishly thought, and she looked back at him with a determinedly set expression.
“I disagree,” he repeated, finally looking away from Bloom, nostrils flared. “I love my herd,” and now his gaze cut fiercely to Freya, “and I will do my duty for my herd, to protect them. But let us be very clear on what we’re oh-so-nobly doing to ‘protect’ our herd, shall we?” He lashed his tail again.
“The Exiles, whatever their ancestor's crimes, tried to assist us in the war, if you will recall, and we turned them away. Perhaps if they had not been forced to return to those bachelors, their numbers could have given us the edge we needed and we would have won.” His gaze flicked to Freya again. “And as long as we’re on the subject of what we think the unicorns would or would not do," and he paused, teetering on the edge of an abyss, "perhaps, then they’re punishing us for turning away aide they sent to our lands, and delivering it into the hooves of our enemies instead.” His eyes were locked on the Queen’s once more. Daring her to deny it, to deny words spoken to him in days before. Why was she going on this farce? Dare he trust her, when she was acting against all he knew of her, and against what he himself thought was just?
“Perhaps,” he said more quietly, eyes moving to Aralynne, herself a former Exile, “we are... wrong?”
[Post 3]
|
|
