katha88
Familiar Face
Olde Herd
Posts: 99 
|
Post by katha88 on Jun 28, 2015 16:57:12 GMT -5
Arturo
The bald faced stallions back talk just made Arturo growl more, looking like a Quiverback, respectively a small Quiverback, compared to the huge sized dark stallion in front of him. Though, as Caligo snapped at him his eyes twitched in anger. his thoughts torn between obedience to his adviser, chosen by their unicorn king and the way he talked about Ancaesi. Though, he was right, it had been his most sinful months and Obscura would probably not endorse his behavior in the past. Arturo’s intentions to help Ancaesi, a former lover and friend became more and more suppressed by his fear of the the Adviser and the Unicorns themselves, he was not to disobey his superior, but on the other hand he could not let Caligo harm Ancaesi, he still felt protective towards the delicate horse.
And then a flash of bright orange and red and black crashed into him, forcing both horses to the ground. They slithered towards the wall next to them and with a thud they hit the warehouse wall. Furious, Arturo had tried to stop the impact, but couldn’t do anything and so his jaw gaped open wide, his neck bend behind him and his teeth crashed into the mare’s back of the head, into the fiery mane. Like a furious bird, he hacked again at her, grunting, aiming for her delicate ear. His whole side burning with the scratching marks from his fall and his healed battle scars partially reopened by the force and rough underground. Pushing himself against the wall, he tried to move his legs under his body to get up again and to get rid of the mare on top of him.
Winding like a worm in the peak of a bird, he finally managed to struggle to his feet, away from the mare, as his eyes caught another movement and he spotted a second version of the arabian appaloosa. It could not be that these heathens were capable of such powers, of such unicorn blessings. Frozen, he stared at the blank eyed figure that yelled at them to stop. She must descend from Olde horses, otherwise it was not possible.
WC: 364 | Post 8
|
|
|
|
Post by dawnscoming on Jun 28, 2015 17:17:02 GMT -5
The flaxen's hide burned with a wild desire, somewhere between the lines of passion and rage. She was out to protect and she would have no more of this. As quickly as they fell, the mare moved to rearrange herself, gathering her legs from the crumpled mess beneath her body. The stallions bulking mass was hot against her knees but as she pulled away, she felt the burning pain of teeth against her neck. Cael jerked, pulling away as she heard the clap of bone beside her ear and thanking the unicorns she had moved in time. Her clumbsy movements caused her to scanter backwards as the other did the same, their eyes now locking onto each other with wary agitation.
And then it all, came to a halt. "ENOUGH!" the voice carried over all, echoing off the stone walls and sending silence into every corner of the city. The dark mares breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of the familiar figure that stood amidst the chaos. Lilith? No... she looked over, eyeing her mates silvery coat just beyond the speaker. It was as if someone had placed a mirror there, or a twin she had yet to learn about. But the doubles eyes told her all she needed to know. This was no twin, it was a double.
Cael's ears flew back as she looked from one Lilith to the other, her mind slowly coming to grips with the power she was witnessing. Her unease made the shadows around the group twitch and flicker, mimicking the beat of her heart and the stiffness in her legs. She was both awestruck and concerned, the fight no longer taking the center stage of her mind.
|
|
|
|
Post by ponybones on Jun 29, 2015 12:13:49 GMT -5
Moving took all of her willpower, all of her energy, all of her focus. If her mind strayed for even a moment, especially if it was gripped by the fear of 'what is happening to me right now', movement would cease and her roots would start to take hold. Her roots. The thought made her wish to shudder, and she felt herself move in the howling of the wind, which was close enough for her standards. How would she ever escape this? Delilah set her mind back to the task and she slid, a millimeter at a time, slowly toward the group of vibrations that she was 'hearing', but not, rather the scent of...strange pheromones that her plant-senses couldn't understand. The feeling of her own isolation grew and her progress slammed to a halt from her internal despair. Would she ever be able to be a horse again, Delilah wondered, seeking for the power to allow herself to change, however nothing came. She tingled slightly, which she imagined was a plus, but her concentration was too split for a transformation of any kind. Focus hadn't ever been her strong suit, and it wasn't about to be now. Instead, defeated, she continued moving at a barely perceivable pace as much as her willpower would allow, stems swaying in the breeze.
Word Count:// 225 | Post 9 | +1 Tier
|
|
NaporieRizia
Bachelor Herd 
Servatis a periculum. Servatis a maleficum.
Posts: 96
|
Post by NaporieRizia on Jun 29, 2015 19:00:47 GMT -5
"Clearly, you have been brainwashed, Arietti." Those words hit her hard, not so much on a personal note, but because they told her just how little her words meant at the moment. Why wasn't he listening?! Did he not get it? Bachelors or not these horses were still horses. They were still made of the same flesh and blood that they were made of. They didn't deserve to be killed just because they had been born or raised in a herd with a name like Bachelors. It wasn't fair!
Not that she got much time to worry about that. Within the next few moments a fight had broken out completely. Caligo had rushed at Ron whom she had been standing by. With a quiet little shriek Ari skittered out of the way again, backing her way toward the wall, pressing herself against it as if it were her savior. She stood and watched in horror as the fight erupted, flinching at every single hit that was lay, weather on Olde or on Bachelor. She took all the pain as if it were her own. She couldn't stand to watch this, but she didn't know what else to do. If she fought on the side of the Bachelors she would be taken as a traitor and abandoned to stay with them, but if she fought on the side of Olde she would be aiding them in the unfair deed she had so hard tried to talk them out of. She was nearly driven to tears in desperation before... another Lilith?... walked out into the middle of the fray and demanded a hault. Her tone was far more sure than Ari's had been. It wasn't a plea, it was an order. Everything went quiet. It was like the world had frozen around them. Ari could hear her own heart beating a mile a minute as if she had been fighting. Her gaze flickered back and forth from Lilith to her double and back again. How did she do that?
Words: 337
Post # 9 +1 tier
|
|
|
|
Post by valiantshadow on Jun 29, 2015 22:07:42 GMT -5
So much was happening at once; it made Kali's head spin just to think about it. Cael's sudden appearance in the group, as well as Caligo's raving took Kali's attention, but it was soon brought back to the others when the fighting flared up again. Kali stared in awe as the gray appaloosa mare made a double of herself, just as concerning and strange as Caligo's double, who Kali had only met that morning. It was all so confusing. Shaking her head, Kali watched as the others moved about, trying to decide what to do.
Although Caligo seemed to be well distracted for the time being, Kali knew that if the Olde horses were to discover her lurking in the shadows instead of rendering aid, it would not end well. So, the black mare shook herself and shuffled back slightly, leaving just enough room to burst into a canter, sliding over the city streets as she careened into the group of horses. Since Kali had gotten lost earlier, it would seem believable enough that she just now discover where the other horses had gone. Sliding to a halt, the black overo looked about, a genuine puzzled look on her face - despite watching from the shadows, she still had no idea what was going on. But the fighting needed to stop. That, Kali knew.
All the other mares seemed to be speaking out. Why shouldn't she. "STOP!" the black mare called, rearing onto her hind legs momentarily, before falling back to earth. "Please." It hurt the healer to see these horses ripping at each other, verbally or physically. She wanted to help, not hurt.
|
|
|
|
Post by ponybones on Jun 30, 2015 0:47:50 GMT -5
Caligo's head weaved to the side as the great seal bay bastard took a swing at him, and rage flashed in his green eyes, while happenstance took him off kilter and the Bachelor mare missed his flank by a hair, taking some of those precious things with her as she pulled away. He wasn't sure where to turn now, with Arturo entangled with the flame-haired mare, and Kali no where to be found. He'd be damned if they fell to these accursed horses, his temper escalating to a cold and silent fury while the Bachelors yelled each other's names in pathetic desperation. Was it some misguided love between them? No love could exist without the Unicorns' blessing, and surely the Bachelors had never even thought to ask it. Bile rose in his throat just thinking of the disgusting debauchery that had to be taking place between this group, and his sister had been taking part. "Arietti... Caligo snarled, fearing that she too had fallen prey to this life of sin, when suddenly the pintaloosa mare stood in two places, and her double issued an order. A double?! He hissed his distaste at another horse having his Gift, while Niveus slowly morphed out of him, standing at his side once more though clearly weakened. Niveus opened his mouth to echo the other duplicate's sentiments, against Caligo's wishes, when their third party member finally decided to show her face again, and also thought to start issuing orders. His eye twitched with the anger that boiled inside of him, the desire to rip out her throat where she stood but he remained composed for the moment. He'd remark to Vasska on her performance, surely, and punishment would be given swiftly. Or so he would pray.
"We want Arietti, and any other Olde horses. If you must live your lives in sin, so be it. That is what the Unicorns willed, placing your ancestors on this green land." Niveus said softly, looking over at Arietti. "Your place is with us, with your family if they remain, with the Unicorns."
Caligo's lip curled in distaste for this calm discussion, and when he glanced over at Arturo, it seemed he was awestruck and turned silent. "If she is not here, then where is she? Where is Obscura?" Caligo muttered coldly, his eyes flicking from one Bachelor face to the other. Evalynn was also an Olde that had recently been taken, but if he was to be honest with himself, Vasska was better without temptation knocking on his door. Too many plans were in motion for the Olde king to suffer through more. Ancaesi was clearly a sore spot with these horses, so it was better to leave her out. After having seen her, however, there was no chance that he was leaving this Unicorn-forsaken place without her in tow.
Word Count:// 480 | Post 9 | +1 Tier
|
|
|
|
Post by songsthedeadmensing on Jul 1, 2015 18:30:16 GMT -5
Ron stared in awe at the double of Lilith. He had been unaware she even possessed a gift. Everyone appeared dumbfounded by what they saw. He looked to Lilith - the real one without the blank white eyes. There was another horse who suddenly appeared as well, a black overo that had come skidding into the scene, begging them to stop the fighting. Another Olde, he assumed.
And much to his surprise, the double of the Olde appaloosa returned, though appeared weakened. They spoke in a more kind manner. Ron felt a bit of relief. If giving them what he could of the Olde captives meant no more fighting, then fine, he would do that. He looked at Arietti. "Arietti, go with the Olde and return to your home," he said to her.
He blew out a sigh. "I do not know where Obscura is," he replied to the appaloosa's questioning. "My best guess is that she is within the city, likely hiding out with another group of Bachelors," he looked around the group. "Lilith, do you know where she is?" Ron questioned her, "you sent some of the young ones in her care. She must be within the city, right?"
[word count: 200] - post eleven - +1 tier
|
|
|
|
Post by queerly on Jul 2, 2015 1:29:34 GMT -5
The not-Lilith turned her eyes towards her fellow clone, listening and finding his words palatable. Peace, compromise, a parting of ways. She'd heard much the same from Arietti's mouth just moments ago, when she'd been little more than an ember in Lilith's chest. It felt as though she'd laid dormant for years, a sliver of potential, kindling waiting on a spark. And somewhere between Delilah's peril, Cael's disappearance, and Ron's predicament, the flint had been struck.
She was not Lilith. So who was she, then? The name Mary swam to the forefront of her thoughts, and it rang true enough in her chest. Mary, then. So it would be.
Mary's black ear swiveled as a paint burst into the lot, crying for a ceasefire. That made four that favored compromise. Mary was glad for it, late though the mare's vote had come. The tension in the air was fragile. A stray hair could trigger them all into violence again, or so she felt in the prickle of her skin.
Ron was speaking, relinquishing their claim to Arietti. Mary turned her head to watch him as he spoke, and when his attention shifted to Lilith, so too did hers. Blank white met pink, and for a second the pair stared at one another, trying to comprehend the puzzle that was their existence.
Lilith swallowed and tore her gaze away, looking to Ron and then the opposing appaloosa. "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell them, not while my children accompany her. Look at them. Do you think these horses would take pity on Bachelor children?" No, the two stallions had already shown what sort of beasts the Unicorns called their own. Lilith had once though the North might be gentle with the broods at least, but now she knew the truth, knew that they'd slaughter anything born south of their borders. To think, they called the Exiles savages.
"It doesn't matter." Mary spoke up, her own gaze turning to Niveus. "You don't have the numbers to get to the other captives. Near the entire herd is spread across the city, and each band has guards all its own. You'll be killed."
Lilith's eyes strayed to Cael as her double spoke, imploring the mare to come to her with a look alone. She wanted the warrior away from Arturo, who seemed to her a particularly volatile stallion.
|
|
katha88
Familiar Face
Olde Herd
Posts: 99
|
Post by katha88 on Jul 2, 2015 2:26:25 GMT -5
When Kali suddenly skidded into the scene, Arturo’s ears flattened back against his head. Where has the mare been … impatience with the healer swapped over him, she should have stayed with Niveus and followed back to them. He glanced towards Caligo, who was visibly angered with the paint mare, the double of his double gift and with Niveus as well, who had just appeared incomplete. When he mentioned Obscura, his heart dropped again, it was the most common feeling to him lately and he too glanced from one Bachelor to another.
Stealing the Olde captives off the Bachelor’s seemed an easy thing, as the bald faced stallion quickly gave up on his chestnut captive and was willing to lead them to his beloved Obscura. Younglings in her care? Arturo raised a brow, she was a gentle being, but taking care of young horses? She could barely keep herself together at times, Arturo was worried. How she was doing, how her gift drained her. They had made so much progress before the war, she had gained weight, hadn’t slept away the whole day and both had started to taste the social live within the herd, that they had denied themselves for so long.
Within the city. Arturo’s ears flicked forward and he looked at Lilith with anticipation, would they lead them to her, with their youngsters? NO. She would not. Arturo’s ears pinned back again, snarling. “I am not a child slayer, mare. I do not intend to kill anyone, if not necessary.” He lied there to himself, moments before he had been so eager to rip out throats, but all he wanted, was his seal bay mare now. “If their guards are weaklings, like your towering stallion here, we will be able to overpower them. The unicorns are behind our backs, you can not stand a chance. Remember what happened to your leader. It was the unicorns will.” He snorted and tossed his head impatiently. This was dragging along without making progress, they had Arietti, fine. Now they had to move towards the next step and in his mind, it was to find Obscura. He stepped forward, keeping the Bachelor stallion in his sight. “If you fear for your tainted progeny, then send Arietti, to get Obscura here.” He did not believe, the mare didn’t knew where her foals were, she would certainly know and make sure to run back to them, once this was over. Maybe they should simply pretend to leave…
His scratching wounds had almost finished to heal, even the war scars had been covered with soft tissue again. Something else though seemed to be amiss, it was his leg that had been injured in the fight with Ghost. It had slowly healed, but the fall destroyed some of the progress and he could feel a pulsing pain and swelling heat in his right front leg. He was not entirely back in shape.
WC: 490 | Post 9
|
|
|
|
Post by dawnscoming on Jul 2, 2015 8:06:01 GMT -5
Cael snorted at the Olde stallions words, stifling a cynical laugh as she pulled her gaze from Mary's uneasy form. "Even if YOU have no foul intentions, which I find highly unlikely, you friend over there does not seem to mirror your chivalry." She motioned toward the Appaloosa who still stood locked in place before Ron, his eyes icy with hate. This stallion was mad if he thought taking off through the city would help his cause, Bachelors around every corner. "Even if we did send Arietti, she would hardly know her way through the mazes of streets." Obscura was Cain's pride and she would not be won so easily, surely this stallion knew that. It made the flaxen's coat boil knowing Vasska has sent such simple minded warriors to the forefront of battle.
The dark mare gritted her teeth, trying to keep herself from reaching out and giving a good snap to the horses flank. This was becoming ridiculous. From the corner of her eye, she caught Lilith's silent call as the silver mare seemed to plead for help. She looked generally shaken which only served to fuel the rage that was building beneath Cael's dark skin and with another agitated glance toward Arturo, she relented pulling her legs toward Lilith's still form. She passed Mary with a scowl, the doubles blank eyes still unnerving every hair on her body. Unfortunately, Mary was right. There was no point in fighting here and all seemed to agree on varying levels.
Finally reuniting with Lilith, Cael touched her shoulder, settling herself half in front of the lady in a defiant stance toward the Olde horses. She was ready to fight if she had to but hopefully now, it would not come to that. The shadows twitched uneasily again, responding to the mares subconscious furry.
|
|
NaporieRizia
Bachelor Herd
Servatis a periculum. Servatis a maleficum.
Posts: 96
|
Post by NaporieRizia on Jul 2, 2015 16:52:36 GMT -5
Arietti was completely lost in her head as she tried to make sense of the fact that there were now two Liliths.. however that even worked. It wasn't until the paint mare ran in, echoing the second Lilith's command that she was able to take her eyes off the two spotted mares who looked almost exactly alike - exactly but for the eyes. She looked to the paint, though her attention didn't stay there very long when a small shifting drew her eyes to the second leopard appaloosa. She blinked quietly, trying to gather her senses. How was it that they could make two of them? She had missed the fact that earlier there were two of the appaloosa, too intent on the bustle that was going on around her. Now things were quiet but for the words spoken by the two equine who looked so real... but they couldn't be, right?
Then they were talking to her, and the double turned his attention to her. She nodded as he spoke of her belonging with them. She was too dumbstruck to agree verbally, but she knew that Olde was - and would forever be - her home. Then her name was spoken by Ron and she nodded her head once again at his order. Yes, home, she was going home! Her heart leaped inside her and a wide grin pulled the corners of her lips, though that grin did not stay there for long. Soon her expression became serious once more as they began speaking of Obscura. She looked eagerly to Lilith when Ron questioned if she knew where the lost mare was, but her hopes were shot down when the mare refused to share such information. Her ears fell to the side in disappointment. Her heart moved for poor Arturo. He only wanted his wife back and yet he was being treated like some monster... a killer. But he wasn't one, she was sure. She may not know him well but she knew him enough to know he wouldn't kill someone, especially not a foal.
It was then that the stallion spoke up, saying the very thing she was thinking, followed by a suggestion for her to go. Yes! she thought, about to say that she would be more than willing to do so... until Cael spoke up, pretty much shooting down those hopes she had just built up. She was probably right, she would never find them in this city. She didn't know the place. Last time she'd wandered in a city by herself she'd gotten herself stuck. If it hadn't been for the kind stranger, she could still be there now. But they couldn't do nothing. Obscura belonged in Olde just as she did. She needed to go home, to her husband. It was only right.
"Well we have to do something." She suddenly spoke up, allowing her soft, gentle voice to be heard again. It wasn't demanding nor was it harsh, rather it was sweet and soothing almost. She walked forward away from the wall, bringing herself to the center of the others, only hoping another fight would not break out again. "It isn't right to keep her away from him." She looked to the bachelors she had been with. "Certainly you all know what it feels like to love someone. Would you want that person to be taken away from you? For you to be denied to see them ever again?" She shook her head in answer to her own question. "It's not fair for us to do that to Obscura either." She then turned her deep blue gaze to Lilith, letting it flicker toward her double for a moment before returning to the original. "Please Lilith," she pleaded softly. "Please tell them where she is." She glanced back toward Arturo. "I promise to be sure your children are safe." She added. She wasn't sure how much assurance that was... sure, Ari would keep to her word and do everything in her power to do just that, but how much power did little her have if the stallions decided to go against her? She wasn't a fighter... that was why she was here after all.
Words: 697
Post # 10 +1 tier
|
|
|
|
Post by valiantshadow on Jul 2, 2015 17:15:45 GMT -5
Kali could easily see by the expressions on Arturo's and Caligo's faces that he was not in their good graces right now. But, the black overo wasn't going to complain, as the fighting seemed to have halted for the moment. Although he was glad that the horses had settled some, it still made the fur along Kali's spine itch to think of sending the mare - what was her name? Arietti? - deep into the city in order to find Obscura. Although Kali would not wish that Arturo and his wife be apart, the black horse did not want to see Caligo's actions rewarded; Kali was fed up with the whole mess. Why couldn't they have just minded their own business? Kali did not want to be here; he didn't want to be in the middle of this argument, and he didn't want to even think about the consequences of trying to break up a stupid, senseless fight.
So, the black stallion kept to himself, skirting closer to Arturo than Caligo and his weakened twin. Kali figured, if it was a choice between those two, Arturo would be the lesser of two evils. Cael and the black pintaloosa caught his eye; it seemed so odd for the Olde healer to see two mares showing affection so easily, even if it was only a reassuring gesture or word. How jealous Kali was of that ease.
(WC 232)
|
|
|
|
Post by songsthedeadmensing on Jul 2, 2015 22:18:49 GMT -5
Ron could certainly understand the feeling of missing loved ones you haven't seen in so long - he often felt such a longing feeling for his family in the Exiles. A frown pursed his lips and he looked to Lilith, an almost desperate look in his eyes. He wasn't sure what to do now. Lilith brought up a good point about the Olde. If they were so willing to rip his throat out just minutes ago, then what would stop them from possibly going after the Bachelor younglings? After all, according to the Olde the Bachelors were the scum of Chevalin and absolute heathens. His brows knitted in frustration as he tried to think of what they should do. The Lilith double raised another good point as well. If the guards with the other Bachelor groups saw any intruders, especially Olde, they would kill them on the spot. He glanced to the nervous flickering of the shadows where Cael stood.
"Just take Arietti for now and leave," Ron finally spoke. "You have one captive, but you will need to wait until you can get the rest of them," he told the stallions, "I can assure you that Obscura is fine though." He glanced around the group.
[word count: 205] - [post twelve] - [+1 tier]
|
|
|
|
Post by queerly on Jul 4, 2015 9:05:50 GMT -5
"Your words scarcely match your actions." The silver lady spat at Arturo, eyes narrowing. Yet she did feel for him, and knew as well as any other among the broods how sorely Obscura missed her husband. Despite herself, Lilith found her voice softening. "You've more bravado than strength, fool. What good will you be to her dead?"
Her rosy gaze shifted to Arietti, grimacing minutely at her heart-felt words. The pearl mare was a well of good intentions, but lacked the ability to follow through on her intent. "Arietti, sweetling... you're not exactly adept at throwing your weight around. I appreciate the thought, really I do..." She shook her head. "But it doesn't matter. I don't know where Obscura is; she could be in any one of the groups crawling across the city."
"And as one of Cain's personal captives, she'll be heavily guarded." Mary added, withholding the knowledge that Cael was one such prized captive. To be under the watch of only one infantryman, Cain must have trusted the Exile to be cooperative. It made sense, what with her foal in a separate group and her affections so thoroughly tangled up in Lilith. But if these Olde horses were made aware of her status, they might think Obscura went just as unguarded... and that might lend itself to more foolhardy ideas. Mary did not want to see blood spilled unnecessarily. "It is better you leave with the mare you've already acquired. As said, you're not good to your people as corpses."
|
|
|
|
Post by ponybones on Jul 6, 2015 15:58:55 GMT -5
Caligo heaved a heavy, disgruntled sigh through his flared nostrils, listening to the buffoons talk amongst themselves, playing at some form of civilisation. He had hoped so much that he would be on a mission for blood and glory, he wanted to taste the pulse of one of the heathen horses as the light faded from their eyes and their viscera hung from his pelt like a banner. Yet here he stood with an ineffectual mare who said nothing to help the situation, a stallion whom he hated for defiling his sister, yet who wanted no part in recapturing her as he stood making empty threats, and Niveus, his rather unhelpful double, speaking with the Bachelors as equals. His green eyes narrowed on the mare doused in flames, lips rising in a snarl. What good was chivalry and decency to this wild band? They knew nothing of the word, and to use it to his face was an outright insult. However Niveus simply shook his head, taking Caligo's flurry of emotions and condensing them into one calm package. "I agree with Arturo." Niveus said, his blank eyes swiveling to match the other double's, his dark pelt reflected in her own. "It is somewhat shocking to hear that you would leave your own foals in the care of the enemy captive." Pain shot through them both as they realized together that Obscura was, for all of her fervor for the unicorns, soft and mare-ish at heart, an undeniable fault of hers. Obscura would sooner attempt to save the souls of the younglings than hurt them. She couldn't raise a hoof to any living being, and from the sounds of it, that's how she got into this mess. "But if they are guarded as she says, then it is a clever maneuver to acquire extra resources from the King." Niveus stated aloud, though his attention turned to Caligo, who refused to acknowledge it, however knew the information to be good. Niveus was always the better tactician.
We can find Ancaesi, just let them leave. Niveus thought to Caligo privately, and they locked eyes for a moment. If Bachelor blood could not be spilled, his sister's would be a fine substitute. Caligo gnashed his teeth in anger, and turned partially away from the Bachelors, standing down. "Come Arietti, the Olde herd will be grateful to have you back." He muttered through clenched teeth, his brows furrowed. The ruse had to be maintained.
Word Count:// 414 | Post 10 | +1 Tier
|
|
