swaggalatte
Newcomer
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Posts: 39
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Post by swaggalatte on Jun 16, 2015 23:15:55 GMT -5
Varien looked over at Ace, tilting his head slightly as the mule went to control his epistaxis. With a sneeze and a toss of his head, Varien's gaze settled back on the Exiles. The dust was incredibly annoying, and he could not help but felt sympathy for Ace. The dry heat was beginning to create an incurable itch in Varien's throat, causing him to swallow roughly. Varien was a little surprised that no one had started coughing yet. After the fresh, clean air of the Eastern Island, this desolate land was brutal on the body.
As the Exiles began to speak amongst themselves, Varien strained to listen. He could only hear a few words, but there was nothing that allowed him to comprehend what they were discussing. He could assume, though. They were most likely discussing Cain's true intentions, and whether or not they should trust this band of stallions. In Varien's mind, they larger Bachelors were doing them a favor. Why look a gift horse in the mouth? The more he thought about it though, there was not exactly a strong, positive relationship between the two herds. He decided not to comment on the matter.
Once the final decision was made, the dappled stallion took a few steps away from the main band, turning to face outward. Not too far off, he could hear the scuffling of some beast, and their quiet calls resounded over the flat terrain. They had hardly any time left, if any at all. His ears stayed directed at Ruaridh, intent on listening to any orders that the palomino might give. "Any time, Ru, just give us the orders."
Word Count: 274
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Post by hypnocampus on Jun 17, 2015 15:06:56 GMT -5
Now, this really could go any of two ways, Ruaridh was more than aware of that, but as Ace sidled past, and his words filtered through the Exile band in a low grumbling tone, Ru's attention was snagged. Recognition filtered through his gaze. Ryder was certainly one he recalled from the war, and there was another stallion in their band who he vaguely recognised as well. He raised his brows, and swung his gaze momentarily from the Exile lead, to Ace. The stream of blood trickling from his comrade's nares, sticky, metallic was enough to set his teeth on edge. He glanced after the male with a look of concern furrowing his brow. Ru shrugged Ace's apology with a gentle half smile that illustrated a silent empathy, and as Ryder presented his group's decision, he focussed back to the paint male.
Ru inclined the convex shape of his Roman nosed head, his dark tipped ears flicking gently as he scanned the vicinity with a well crafted subtlety. He smiled kindly, nodding at his team, careful to take their words into consideration before taking a half step towards the exile band-
"... It is a pleasure to meet you all." He announced politely, ushering his men forwards with a flick of his two-toned tail.
"Ace, stick with Lantern, Varien, Clyde... Take the flanks." He murmured to the side, "Stay alert." God he felt like he was repeating himself.
"Ryder, I feel it pertinent to keep moving... The arid air is creating a cocktail of our scent only whipped up by this breeze..." He huffed gently, his gaze trained against a swirlring cloud of dust that spiralled upwards.
He drew into a steady, graceful, well calculated walk. He was careful to keep a parallel path to the Exile, his left shoulder presented.
"These lands are strange to us, we will rely on your guidance in this instance. I appreciate there being no trust between tribes, and for good reason, but let us put that aside tonight for the sake of preservation? So that we may reclaim what is rightfully yours, and work together"
Either the air was close, or something was breathing down his neck.
//words: 350
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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 Jun 17, 2015 15:42:11 GMT -5
Ryder glanced between the stallion beside him and the large eared horse in the Bachelor's band. The metallic scent of blood could be smelled in the air as Ryder took a deep breath. Not good. Not good at all. If he could smell the other stallion's scent, the predators around them definitely could. Maybe the ash would cover up a bit if it until they started moving again.
As Ruaridh flicked his tail to motion his group forward, Ryder turned back to the group behind him. "Let's go. Keep up the formation. We've got land to take back." He said, giving each of them an encouraging nod of his head and a small smile. As the large, yellow stallion addressed him, Ryder nodded in agreement. "It's a pleasure to meet you all as well though it was certainly unexpected. We should get moving. We're sitting ducks here." He said with a sheepish chuckle, walking forward at a steady pace as they began their mission.
His ears swiveled around, and his blue eyes scanned the horizon in search of any signs of danger. He walked alongside the group of Bachelors, glancing occasionally over at them. He definitely recognized Ruaridh from his brief time with the herd of the Eastern island. "We'll guide the way. Peace for the time being would certainly be appreciated, and I think we can agree on working together until we've gotten rid of these predators." Ryder said, giving Ruaridh a kind smile in an attempt to lessen the tension that remained in the air around them.
"We should continue heading toward the middle of the island. That seems to be where the tracks have been leading... if we don't run into anything before then."
Word Count: 287
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Post by triggerjax on Jun 17, 2015 17:55:03 GMT -5
Kaiser | Exile | Guard | Word Count: 211 Blood. An iron tang sifting in through his nose, the stallion couldn't help but cough. He hated the metallic iron scent, or the sight of the red liquid. Looking over he noticed one of the Bachelor stallion's was bleeding out his nose. Strange, he thought to himself, but deadly. He knew if he could smell that stench so could the beasts, and with that thought Kaiser carefully lifted his head up and watched the horizon for any signs of movement. The large stallion gave a soft snort as the group began moving, without saying a word he crossed in front of Fay and moved into the right flank position. Let the mare unleash her wrath upon him, he thought realizing the mare might not appreciate. But it was too late for such thoughts, he had already done it and now he had other things to focus on. As the two groups walked parallel he kept one eye on the Bachelors, he had been one of them a long time ago. He might even consider going back someday after his sire passed, but he knew others in the herd knew why he disappeared. Hellfire! Some of the stallions over there probably knew, he didn't care; at least that's what he told himself. |
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Post by paperwingsranch on Jun 17, 2015 19:58:28 GMT -5
Kayden's ears pinned as, it seemed, each of the bachelor stallions noticed him in turn --each one of course then taking on an expression of recognition. 'I get it, there's four diamonds on my face, I'm gay as hell, get over it!' He snorted internally, glaring at Kaiser when the other looked back at him as well, before focusing all his attention back to the decision that still needed to be made. It appeared, however, that said decision had been made, and Kayden was not very fond of the results.
He nearly flinched when Ryder introduced them by name to the other band, 'Great, now there's an even greater chance they know who I am. Thanks Ryder. Thanks a shit ton.' he thought, narrowing his eyes at the leader of the bachelor group as the yellow stallion's gaze fell on him. He seemed familiar, which wasn't surprising, but to Kayden familiar meant dangerous.
He purposely ignored the stallion who's nose began to bleed. He honestly didn't care if a) the other was okay nor b) if it attracted the beasts to them. They were going to hunt them down anyway, so why would it matter if they came to them? Apparently that logic didn't occur to their leaders, and they were all ordered to take up their formation again. Kayden gladly reclaimed his position in the very back of the group, not at all in the mood for dealing with anything that didn't involve his hooves making contact with some predators skull.
words: 252
post 5: +10 wg
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Post by maplethemutt on Jun 17, 2015 20:48:50 GMT -5
Fay felt like a mouse with lions in the group. Each stallion towered over her and to just her luck, no mares as far as the eye could see. ''Great" she thought to herself but kept a steady pace with the others. If she had felt intimidated she didn't show it. If the bachelors tried anything she wouldn't let them get away with it! She was a stubborn filly that way. Though Faya was glad none of her group members seemed to thrilled about the bachelors. It showed no one was naive enough to believe cain's intentions entirely. Fay fell into place with one exile on her left and a bachelor at her right. It happened to be the stallion who caught a random nose bleed during their encounter. She decided to speak up and said "you ok?" In a quiet tone. He seemed alright now but it was a strange moment. The predators would sure smell them. "Shouldn't we go towards the howls? I mean.. If we want to fight them and all?" She asked, making sure in no way she sounded threatening. She had already delt with that today. As they group kept walking the dust from the horses infront of her fluttered up her nose and caused her to sneeze then caugh vigorously. Her lungs had been gravely injured from the smoke of the fire and she had grown sensitive to things that could upset them. She had to take a moment to clear her throat of the suffocating air. Though each breath was no better and almost more filled with ash
word count: 267
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Post by captainkatastrophe on Jun 17, 2015 21:37:50 GMT -5
Jack fell into formation with the others as they began to walk, Glancing at the huge stallion who was now to his right. He glanced from each bachelor in their group now, gaze casting over each of their X scars. Some had healed well, and others were nicked, and had scared badly. He frowned, and looked around at the exiles that had once been bachelors. They're scars seemed to have healed fine... He tried to imagine what it would be like, as a father to mark his own child in such a way. He didn't think he could ever do that.
The sound of couching brought him back to the tired marching of the group, and he looked down to Fay, who was trotting by his side. He licked his lips, and glanced down at the clouds of dust that formed around their feet as they stepped. Being in the middle of the group would do no good to her lungs, nor anyone's for that matter. "Fay, are you alright?" he asked, noticing how the Filly fought to catch her breath. We should try to find water, or anything that can provide moisture... he thought, looking down at the filly again. They would all be coughing up dust for the next few days.
Word count: 215 - {Post 4}
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Post by hypnocampus on Jun 18, 2015 3:08:41 GMT -5
Unrest. That was the only undercurrent that was fully tangible. Whilst the exiles may not have agreed with their leader's decision, they followed. Ru could only respect that. The blue-green of his eyes narrowed against the oncoming breeze. An air current laiden with sticky heat, and ash. Like a snow storm of apocalyptic proportions, one might think. He shook his pelt out, sending a smattering of ash flakes into the atmosphere, only to have them caught by that tricksy breeze, and sent fluttering on their way. He set his pace to a slow march. Deliberate, dull thuds emanating from the bone-dry crust beneath.
The voice of the exile leader only barely reached a mind whirring with various outcomes of this expedition, and he nodded transiently, offering a sideways glance- "... There is always the chance of being caught, regardless of where in the land you are." He chuckled softly, his ears pinning back as the soft cough reached him. "The tracks do seem to be leading towards the middle lands, in a labrynthine manner..." He agreed quietly, tracing age-old serpentine, interconnecting paths carved into parched soil.
Whilst the reception had been rather sour, Ru held no negativity towards those present. Trust Cain to send one of his more level headed and passive stallions out to greet the exiles. The fact that he bore no scar was testament to the fact that Ruaridh had been taken in for reasons other than his birth. He looked back, the troop of exiles and bachelors walking peacefully abreast was truly a sight to behold. Ace beside the young mare, what with his nose bleed now staunched, and her coughing... Ru frowned transiently, turning his attention back to Ryder.
"Perhaps changing positions on rotation would make the going easier for everyone, considering this dust."
//words: 300
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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 Jun 18, 2015 7:44:04 GMT -5
Ryder walked onwards, casting his gaze over the desolate sight of the ash and the hollow remains of a few trees whose skeletons had survived the fire. It was definitely not a very welcoming sight, and he wondered what the Bachelors thought of the depressing landscape. Compared to their land, they probably thought restoring this one was hopeless. To him though, Ryder saw all of the hardship that they had been through: fighting their way through the roaring flames, surviving on what little vegetation that had been left afterwards. The Exiles were hardened by this land that had once been so plentiful and beautiful. 'I hope that we can return it to the way that it was. I want my son to grow up where he belongs, here on the Southern island.'
The brown paint flicked his ears back at the sound of coughing at the ragged intake of breath. He turned his head back to see Fay, wheezing lightly after her coughing fit. A concerned frown pulled down the corners of Ryder's mouth, but before he could ask if she were alright, Jack was asking her. Thank goodness, Khala sent them with a medic. While he knew plenty about herbs and other medical remedies, it was nice knowing that someone else knew just as much or even more than he did.
His gaze shifted down to the weaving tracks that trailed toward the center of the island through the ashy ground. At Ruaridh's suggestion, Ryder nodded, looking back at all of the dust that was being flung up with each step that they took. Fay's coughing was probably from breathing in all of this ash. "That's a good idea. Let's rotate. We don't want anyone choking on all of this dust before we can run into any predators." He said, flicking his ears as he heard another howl close by. "Though I don't think it will be long before we see something." Ryder added, turning his head to look at Fay. "Fay, you and Kaiser please move to the front and continue following the tracks. Kayden and I will guard the sides while Jack brings up the rear. We'll rotate to help out everyone's lungs with all of this dust until we can find some water." Ryder finished and dropped back to the right side of the flank, walking closest to the group of Bachelors. He knew Kayden certainly didn't want to be near them. The chimera stallion hadn't seemed thrilled or happy about the entire situation, so it was probably best to keep him as far from them as he could. Ryder cast Kayden a sideways glance, giving him a small nod of his head and a crooked smile. Hopefully, he didn't have any hard feelings toward him for accepting the Bachelor's help.... though he probably wouldn't blame him if he did. He'd just have to make sure that they didn't get bit in the butt for this, or Ryder had a feeling he would bee hearing a lot of 'I told you so's.
Word Count: 506
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Post by themoon122 on Jun 18, 2015 12:22:57 GMT -5
Clyde followed Ruaridh’s orders and he stayed at the flanks but this time a little closer to the rest of the herd than he did the last time. He let out a loud snort as the ash and dust flowed up into his nostrils, how he disliked this land very much. The large stallion couldn’t wait to get out of here and help them with these predators that they had to remove from this place. The sky was looking a little dark and it would be only a matter of time before night fall over the two groups and once the choice of following the tracks that lead deeper into the middle of the land Clyde nodded his head to agree. He was quiet as he agreed with the choice and to group together he seemed a little less agreeing with that but anything to get out of this dust and to possibly breath a little better, how great would that have been?
Another howl reached his ears which caused the large stallion to lift his head high “that one was much closer this time guys….” He spoke loud enough for both groups to hear him. Clyde then pulled his ears back to the sides of his neck and narrowed his blue eyes, they were closing in on the group and if they were wanting to get out of here they better do it soon. “I think it’s time we get moving don’t you think?” He looked over to Ruaridh’s and Ryder in hopes that they agreed with him.
Word Count: 259
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Post by ponybones on Jun 18, 2015 13:45:25 GMT -5
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swaggalatte
Newcomer
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Posts: 39
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Post by swaggalatte on Jun 18, 2015 14:16:27 GMT -5
Varien grumbled slightly, sneezing again as the dust collected in his nose. He dared not to attempt shaking the dust off of his pelt, concern for the ones already damaged by the harsh environment. He sighed deeply, flicking an ear to the side. If they were going to find any enemies, now would be the time. The two bands were more alert now, and at least would not be surprised by any predators choosing to pick off anyone. Varien could not help but feel that the mare would be the first to go. She was young, first of all, and very small. Why they would bring her, Varien had no clue. It was practically a death sentence for the youngling. Or she would cause the others trouble by interfering and needing to be protected. Fay was nothing but a nuisance.
At the sound of a roar, Varien whipped his head to the side, his muscles tensed. Just over a small rise, three hulking forms lingered. Two were smaller than the one in the middle, most likely cubs. Varien dared not approach, knowing that three ash bears would take him out like a cougar would a deer. Keeping his eyes on the bears, Varien turned his head slightly. "I don't think that following the tracks will be necessary," he stated flatly, loud enough for everyone to hear. At this point in time, there was no point in trying to stay quiet. The predators were here. At least they were upwind.
Word Count: 249
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Post by captainkatastrophe on Jun 18, 2015 15:49:09 GMT -5
As they walked, Jack switched so he was to the back, per instruction, and continued to scan the horizons, looking for any sort of figures or signs of movement. The dust that gathered around him caused his eyes to water slightly, especially now that he was at the back, and walking in the dust left behind from his fellow equines. Though he was part deaf, he heard the roar, wiping his head to the direction it came from, matching the large grey stallions movements. He narrowed his eyes, and tried to focus on the shape, and what the roar had sounded like. He gasped softly, and his eyes widened as he realized what it was. An ash bear...and her cubs. Avoiding an ash bear on it's own was easy enough, you just had to hope it wasn't hungry, but one with cubs? She would attack anything and everything that seemed like even a tiny threat to her offspring.
Jack nodded at Varien's words, and turned to look at Ryder "Ryder, that's an ash bear, with cubs," he exaggerated the last two words "We need to think of a plan, and think of one quick. We all know how fast they can move when they spot a target." he said, turning to look at the bear again, the mother bear turning towards them, with the cubs egging behind her. Jack licked his lips. They had expected grass beasts, not a whole ash bear family!
Word count:246 - {Post 5}
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Post by maplethemutt on Jun 18, 2015 17:22:48 GMT -5
The roar that suddenly split the air and rumbled the ground made Fay gasp and swivel on her hind end to see an ash bear staring at the group of horses with pure rage in her face. Her cubs stood gingerly behind her. "oh no.. this won't be good." she said in a slightly quivering voice with worry. She shook her pelt to free her thoughts and clear her head. 'you've got this! you wanted to prove yourself didn't you? this is for the exiles.. do it as repayment' she gave herself a silent pep talk. This would be dangerous because of the power that rippled under the thick pelt of the bear. But there where so many horses with them maybe the amount of them would scare her off if they stood their ground and looked fierce enough. "I'm ready Ryder, put me anywhere you'd like" she whinnied just to her patrol leader. She didn't want to be stuck in the back and told to wait and watch while everyone else did the hard work. She was determined to be an assets to the mission. She gently pawed the ground, leaving scratches in the hard dirt. Maybe she was being a bit reckless. She wasn't by any means a fare match for the bear but she hatted being underestimated much more.
The bear took one threatening step towards them, showing them her menacing claws that protruded and shimmered in the moon light. The sun was no longer up but a orangish glow still lingered on the horizon, giving them still a bit of light to see. "Maybe… if we all walk together we could seem like one large creature and scare it away? Its pretty dark and I'm not sure how the bears eye sight is.. but we could always try." she suggested. She would hater to have one of her herd mates hurt by the beast. Even for the bachelors. she had to admit, she would feel very empathetic if anyone got a claw to the flank.
word count: 342
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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 Jun 18, 2015 21:14:43 GMT -5
Ryder snorted quietly at the sound of the animals around them. If it hadn't been evident before that their land had been overrun with beasts, with the incoming darkness, it was becoming more and more obvious. But when a loud roar split the ashy air around them, the brown paint stiffened, widening his eyes in shock. That had definitely not been a grass beast. Nope. Nope. Nope. Not a dog, rather a....
"It's a bear.... and her cubs." He stated in bewilderment. An ash bear mother and her two cubs were walking along the horizon. Her fiery back could be seen from where they walked, and her snorts and roars echoed off of the flat land. Ryder's mind whirled as he thought of what they should do. He had expected to come across grass beasts, but a mother bear and her cubs? This could get ugly very, very quickly. He blinked a few times to get dust from his eyes before he looked at his group whose eyes were turned toward him expectantly. Nervousness crept over him, suffocating any words that might have come out. 'Come on! Speak already! Effie and Leif would be so ashamed if you blew it now!' The High Guard thought to himself in an attempt to motivate himself. He turned to Fay first, seeing the determination and enthusiasm in her tone. "I hope everyone else is just as ready." Ryder said, keeping his voice low enough not to draw the ash bear's attention.
Ryder frowned as he searched around them for any body of water. "If we were close enough to a river or even a small creak or pond, I could use my gift to douse her flame." He turned to look at Ruaridh, wondering what the Bachelor was thinking and planning with all of this. "Perhaps Fay has a good idea. It is pretty dark out. If we run at her as a group, we might be able to scare her off... or chase her to some sort of source of water, so that I can get rid of that flame on her back. After that, I think she might be scared enough to be chased off to somewhere else, and her cubs will likely follow." Ryder suggested, turning his blue eyes to watch the bears come closer and closer. "What are you thinking, Ruaridh? Any other plans?" He asked, hoping it wouldn't take the other stallion too long to come up with something if he had anything up his metaphorical sleeves. It probably wouldn't be very long before the ash bear realized that they were there, and it would not be a pretty sight if one of them were to be scratched by one of her large, sharp claws.
Word Count: 457
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