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Post by ponybones on Sept 1, 2014 11:22:05 GMT -5
Sound or Unsound
A roleplay between Pony-Bones' Cain and CrystalUniicorn's Elowen
Cain was ready for this time to pass, this time of sitting, waiting, watching. Though he knew that it was better to have all the time in the world to prepare, it wasn't so, and thus this place of false peace and calm wasn't doing them any good except for allowing them to stagnate. Some of them, anyway. Some, however, were working hard such as Ghost and the individuals Cain had sent out to train with him. Though he knew he wasn't Ghost's favorite leader, by far, the stallion knew how to follow directions and had a strong sense of loyalty to his herd that Cain appreciated in the moment.
Cain himself looked rather ragged at this point, from his trek down the mountain. He and the group that he had unceremoniously dragged up into the Riddle Mountains had only returned a few hours ago, and he was still having trouble feeling his tail and the tips of his ears. When he moved them, they burned, and thus he simply stood at the edge of the valley like a statuesque sentinel, watching and waiting for the return of the groups that he had sent out. His shins sent stabbing pains up his legs from going down the steep grade of the mountains as fast as they did, to which he tried to shake them out, irritated by his own physical frailty. He wondered what the others were doing now, and could only imagine plotting his demise, as that seemed to be what the Bachelors did best. When in doubt, maim it. The thought perturbed him and thus he pushed it out of his mind, his brows furrowing as he glanced out of the valley into the surrounding areas. Off in the distance, he thought he saw Ghost's party returning, however there were 5 in the band, not 3 as he had sent out. Cain's eyes narrowed slightly, his spine prickling with the irritation of disobedience, however he was not a horse that was prone to wearing his emotions for all to see. Instead, he figured he'd wait and see who the two were that went against his orders, and figure out what to do with them then. |
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Post by crystaluniicorn on Sept 1, 2014 11:50:54 GMT -5
What had seemed to be impossible was done. Elowen, the lowly slave brood was plucked from the clutches of the swamp and brought back to the safety of the herd. Or what she had thought to be. It wasn't until she was in sight of him that the mare thought of the leader Cain. He stood against the horizon before them, a not surprisingly unimpressed look plastered upon his regal face. It had seemed that the very grass the stallion walked on churned with fear, leaving a swirling path behind him. It was the marking of a storm. One that just so happened to be called Cain.
The pain had set in only moments ago as her adrenaline did a good job of hiding it. Lucky for her she had manged to walk all this way without too much struggle, but now pain shot through her body, rendering her a useless mess. Her once flowing mane was coated in a thick layer of mud, her body sprayed with marsh water and dirt. It cracked on her coat and dusted beneath her sore eyes. The wound was large, and would defiantly leave a scar. . . but that was the least of her worries. The laceration was open and she knew it needed to be cleaned within the next hour if she was to avoid infection. Perhaps Sheva would walk her down to some water and help her?
Although, what would become of her wasn't quite clear as of yet. She still had to speak with Cain. This wasn't Mama Sheva's fault, as Elowen was the one who had strayed from the path. If it wasn't for her, neither of them would be in trouble. Mustering up her last bit of strength, Elowen hobbled pathetically up to Cain who rose above on his throne of glory. It seemed whatever he had touched turned into something of value, even if it was just dirt.
Thanking Ghost before moving on, Elowen looked to Sheva. She was her rock. But only luck could save her now. With a sigh and a slight nod, the Slave mare moved ahead alone, only to finally stop and bow to her King. The frail mare's legs wobbled with pain, eyes closing tight with every sudden move. Her body ached more now than it ever had.
" Cain. . ." |
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Post by ponybones on Sept 8, 2014 0:47:45 GMT -5
It seemed to take an agonizingly long time for the group of horses to arrive in the valley, from his perch overlooking the land. It was where he came to be alone, to think, to plan, to observe. Everything looked tiny from way up here, and yet he expected those dots on the horizon to be moving faster, and was somewhat unsurprised when he realized those dots had dots of their own, as those mares that seemed to want to cause riots often did. Mother should have warned me never to trust anything with spots and no sheath. Cain thought, rolling his eyes as he started down to meet them, standing at the opening into the valley with a rather stoic look on his face, not one to betray any of his thoughts. I have to reprimand them somehow, if only to please the stallions that are dragging them along. If I do not show some authority, then I am weak and this is not the time for mutiny.
Yet, it seemed that Elowen had already learned her lesson, as blood was caked down her leg and she moved at a pace that spoke of extreme pain. She was the only one approaching him, even though Sheva looked as if she would need someone to hold her back, the whites of her eyes showing and her nostrils flared with her concern over separation. Perhaps it would be better for them to be parted, as it was doing neither any good. Cain watched her bow, deriving a strange twinge of pleasure at the fact that the mare essentially wounded herself for the sake of honoring him, though he didn't dwell on it. It was not the time for sadism either. "What happened here?" He asked her, his face having softened, his voice barely audible, even though Elowen was standing before him. She looked so shaken and so fragile, her thin legs caked with mud, her beautiful moon-lit tail a tangle of earth. He felt a twinge of what he should have felt, had he more capability of emotion. She needed him, not as a leader, but as someone she trusted not to make matters worse. And it was fear mixed with a twinge of trust that he felt coming off of her in waves, mixed with the pain that was wracking her. "Don't move any further, lie down here and we will see what there is to be done." Cain gestured under some low-hanging boughs of a sparse tree, but at least it was in the shade so that the heat wouldn't make her worse. "One of you bring us water, the others, find a horse that knows about medicine. This can't be left to fester." He ordered Sheva, and the Bachelors that remained from the expedition. Sheva was the first to run off, eager to help as she would be, and the males only needed a second glance to warn them that dissent was costly at this stage. Cain returned to where he had asked Elowen to stay, leaning down to inspect the wound.
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Post by crystaluniicorn on Sept 8, 2014 16:33:16 GMT -5
The stallion portrayed himself rather impartial to the whole situation. A hue of discontent glinted in the crystal-gem eyes that lay upon her now, and she could only wonder what he had in mind for her.
" What happened here?" The kings voice felt like silk, much like it had to others. He was a seducer of the mind and it was hard not to become entranced by him, though she knew half the things he had said could be a double edged sword. Nonetheless, without a word the young brood found herself placed under the protection of the sparse and in the view of the stallion. For some reason she could feel him closing in around her, his Ora pooled around her and confused her senses and rationality. He was being oddly kind, and it was hard to fight being absolutely charmed. But Elowen was strong willed, and could turn this charm into puzzlement.
Looking to Sheva slightly wide eyed, the mare hummed a low and uncomfortable tune. It could have been played off as a chime of pain, but it was moreso that the stallion had made her uncomfortable. This contrasted from there last encounter, but as anything in this world things could change with a blink of an eye. This was a less then favorable way to cross again, and Elowen knew that after her wound was dressed and she had been rid of the dirt and mud she would be punished. Sheva too, but she was a Lady Brood and would have a much more lenient scolding. For the first time in years, she was feeling like she had been standing on thin ice with the Bachelors. Cain had caught her strayed once before, but this was much different. He was someone she certainly had no interest in crossing.
As he inspected her, Elowen gulped. Much like a child wincing before their shot. She had no idea what she could say to change what he might be thinking of her, if anything at all. The mare pulled her wound from him to tuck it half under her leg. Stallions had brought nothing but pain to her and she couldn't see how this could end any different. This was a game she had to play defensively.
"Why do you act this way?" Elowen finally breathed, her voice only a whisper now. She hadn't meant to question him, but he felt dangerous.
Elixir with a drop of poison. |
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Post by ponybones on Sept 16, 2014 1:21:27 GMT -5
Her vague trust turned to mistrust in an instant, so quickly that he nearly reeled from her sudden demeanor change. The pain was overcome by this feeling of wariness around him, and he couldn't help but smirk slightly, and for just a moment. It would seem he said too much the last time that they had met, when she had sneaked off and they had conversed as the sun fell away, leaving a blanket of stars to guide them back to the herd. Her willpower was fading, however, as she did WANT to trust him it seemed. Her instinct was smarter - though he'd never say it aloud. Or perhaps he would, just to see what her reaction was.
Now was neither the time or the place, however, as Cain watched Elowen's mismatched doe eyes peer after Sheva, almost willing her to come back perhaps. She doesn't want to be left alone with the monster under her bed Cain thought. He knew that he would never hurt her, not purposefully. He was not one to hurt any other living beings without just cause, and she had not given him any. Though Sheva was dragging her down a rather unruly path, it was not any of Cain's business, at least in close quarters, where it was only them. However, until he made himself stronger, until he pushed his Gift beyond his current capabilities, he couldn't MAKE her feel that. No, he would have to go about gaining her trust like an average horse, and the thought was somewhat defeating. However, Cain had always enjoyed a challenge.
Elowen jerked her wounded leg beneath her, away from him, and he could see the pain in her eyes. He sighed exasperatedly, shaking some of his mane from his eyes as he did so. "The last thing I need are wounded herd members on the eve of battle - even mares such as you." He said, with no sugar coating. He might have not taken such a personal interest if it had been another mare limping here - hell, he would have assigned Ghost to take care of Sheva if it had turned up that way, but there was some lingering connection he felt, and he couldn't help but explore it further. It was a rare feeling, and it was essential to know why it stirred.
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Post by crystaluniicorn on Sept 16, 2014 2:05:54 GMT -5
The mare jerked uncomfortably from his gaze. Although Elowen knew her place in the herd and had reinforced the fact that she had been content with her slave life, his words stung something fierce. For years she hadn't had much trouble with stallions, nor had she really been talked down upon much. Sheva made her feel like a real mare; free even. Perhaps this was the reason for her content and just now had she realized how worthless she was. Though it was all strange really. . . being a despicable slave Brood, it wouldn't make much sense for a crowned head to have any desire to help her. But then again, Cain seemed rather political and maybe this was just an attempt to look empathetic among his lessors.
She wasn't about to raise her voice to him, or anyone else really. Her mind could reel over wanting to explode and imagining the look on others faces if she did so. . . but it just wasn't in her nature. After all, Cain was the definition of authority. And almost everything she had feared in physical forum. He was too charming and intelligent, it was hard not to think that there was a blackness in his heart.
Shaking her head, Elowen softened. She had thought that of almost everyone. Possibly he was genuine?
The thought caused a warmth to rush her, a softness that hadn't touch her in many years.
Was he actually attentive to the well being of the members of his herd? Even a lowly slave?
With a hard blink, Elowen pushed the thoughts from her mind. She was a brick house, and would not be wavered with such silly thoughts. Nonetheless, she was being foolish. Mustering up some strength, Elowen pulled her injured leg from under her once more. She would not defy him like that again, nor would she allow herself such naive thinking. Both she had feared greatly.
Sighing, the mares ears swiveled back. His words had been sharp, but honest. And thats what she most desired. " Well I do appreciate your care, its most welcomed." The mare finally caved and latched to his gaze. His dreads strewn across the side of his immaculate coat, his eyes of a miraculous shade in the light of the day. It was no secret that he had probably wooed many of the Bachelor mares, but she would not be broken.
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Post by ponybones on Sept 21, 2014 8:15:32 GMT -5
Until he had better control over his Gift, Cain got to feel the rollercoaster of emotions that it seemed this herd was always on. As sweet as their hatred of him was, being part of this internal struggle that Elowen was having was somehow even more amusing, and telling. She wanted so hard to trust him, but there was something in her past, beyond instinct, that told her to stay away. Be it that he was a stallion, that he was a leader, or that he was simply a stranger, his Gift could not tell him that, but there was something that made the poor mare's skin crawl around him, and seemed to bring out her most subservient mannerisms. It would seem Elowen was fighting this silent battle with herself, and winning, at least from Cain's perspective. If he could only get inside her inner circle...though why he cared, he couldn't fathom.
Finally, Elowen slipped her leg out from under herself once more, allowing him to see. Cain leaned down again, inspecting it. It was rather horrific looking, though he didn't let any emotions stray across his facial features, looking at it with the same expression as he would if she had presented with a tiny thorn sticking out of the hairs of her fetlock. "What has done this to you? I expected your Lady protector to never let you come to harm." Cain said, genuinely curious as to how she had gotten so injured. He didn't think it within the hearts of the Bachelors that she came home with to hurt a mare so awfully, especially with the new ordinances laid down. "I would ask why you wandered away, but I feel I could guess that answer. To the swamps, though? That seems a little...adventurous, even for the pair of you." Cain added, his eyes narrowing a bit, searching hers for answers before he looked back in the direction of the swamp, hoping that training had gone well otherwise.
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Post by crystaluniicorn on Sept 21, 2014 23:48:23 GMT -5
" My misfortune has little do do with Lady Sheva." Elowen interjected quickly. " It was my own damn fault, I choose to stray from her path and I fell through the ribs of a decaying body. It was disgusting. . ." The brood scowled, embarrassed with her foolish actions. In all the years under the rule of the Bachelor herd, would she ever imagine relaying such a story to their king, never mind being under his care supervision. Authority did unease her, however Cain almost made her feel comfortable. Then again it was that feeling of comfort that made her hair stand on end.
She was an unmovable object against his unstoppable force.
Though she could feel herself beginning to crumble as her heart was not concrete.
He was hard to read. He was most defiantly not the type to wear his emotions, and when he did it was hard to tell if he was being genuine. Her mind told her that it would be best to let go of her worries, of the past, but her heart told her otherwise. It reminded her how stupid and small she was and how long it took to regain some sort of normalcy. Strangely, the more time she had spent with him the more his charm dug under her skin and infested her thoughts. What would be so bad about just making a friend? Sheva was a blessing, and perhaps to have more of this in her life would be best. The mare gazed for a moment, the pools of his eyes swarming with intensity and mystery.
Who are you, Cain?
"How was your mountain trek?" Elowen shook the embarrassed pink hue from her face. " Maybe it not my place to ask, but you seem just as exhausted as I am. " She whispered, her voice low as to not let anyone hear. " Wincing slightly, she added a bit of light to the situation. " I cant imagine it easy leading a bunch of bachelor oafs up a mountain side."
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Post by ponybones on Sept 29, 2014 1:13:27 GMT -5
His stomach turned for reasons unknown, possibly from feeling her disgust at recalling, and also imagining the situation itself. The smell had to be horrific, and his nostrils flared at the thought, his ears flickering back against his poll. Glancing at her face, he could see how disappointed she was in herself. It was a silly mistake to make, especially given that the Lady Brood had gone first, for reasons he couldn't begin to imagine. The inner workings of the Bachelor herd continued to be beyond him - there was always some anomaly, something that didn't quite fit with his outside picture of it. All he could do was ask. "I'm not reprimanding you, but out of curiosity...being a slave, wouldn't you make sure the path was clear for the lady, rather than the other way around?" Cain murmured, turning away from her to look out and see if any of his recruits to the healing task had returned, though he had no such luck. Thus Elowen continued to bleed, and Cain had no practical knowledge of how to stop it aside from trying to staunch it.
When he looked back into her face, he found her deep in thought, her mismatched eyes staring into him, but he was not sure what she was seeing. Cain stifled a shiver from being under such scrutiny, and snorted, perturbed but unwilling to acknowledge it. He opened his mouth to speak, but she filled the silence first. "How was your mountain trek?" She asked, and he sighed. Nothing was a secret around here, was it? Be it the guards, or Sheva running their mouths, word traveled much too fast. At least she was being quiet about it. His pale eyes scanned the area, as she slipped her joke, and he couldn't help but chuckle and smirk for a moment, before shaking his head, and allowing his face to become passive again. "I feel a fool, honestly." He said quietly, looking off into the distance, as if he was speaking to himself. "I realized upon reaching the top that I had brought nothing but children, half of which hadn't yet faced the realities of this herd for themselves. Younglings not ready to be broods or guards. Learning that, it felt unnecessarily cruel." The youth were indoctrinated, and it was that which he wanted to break...but it would take time, and he wasn't sure it was worth wasting the effort on.
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Post by crystaluniicorn on Sept 29, 2014 1:47:59 GMT -5
On innumerable occasions the Knabstrupper had gone out on a limb to protect her. Whether this be just motherly instinct or genuine care, Elowen did not know. Perhaps she couldn't allow herself to see her young slave friend live the compassionless life she had seen so many other mares endure. Regardless of this, regret flooded her and the mare hung her head low. " Sheva has always looked out for me. It seems I have forgotten my place." Elowen breathed, weary eyes lingering on the unkempt mane of her leader. She would leave it at that, for, what else did she have to say? There would be no defending her actions as she did not stand by them.
" I feel a fool, honestly." Well, that had certainly made two of them. Perhaps it was a lie to show her a bit of compassion, but now was not really the time to allow her mind to wander. Things had just begun to get easier. . . considerably those automatic and almost compulsive responses would someday cease. She would humor him nevertheless of if she was conflicted or not. " I do feel it was brave of you as a leader to bring them to the mountains. Its perfect conditioning and I'm certain that it will stick in the minds of the younglings. Cain. . ."
The chill ran down her spine. It was familiar to her, and her mind shot back to the night beside the river. ". . . You'll do good for this herd and all of their stubbornness. I am sure of it." Elowen smiled faintly to him before taking a sharp breath in. It was obvious help might not be coming. Who knew if Sheva got herself caught up in some other mess, and knowing the mare she might have been. Back legs swung up first, lifting the numb leg that now stood weakly under the wobbly body that had once shined like the moonlight. How embarrassing it was. . .to be before her leader in this condition. It was clear to both of them she had to get to the river and let the wound soak. She would make it down there with or without his help, and currently she was conflicted as to what she wanted. Looking back to him, the slave mumbled. " If anything is to happen to me, please don't allow yourself to remember me in this way."
The young mare searched for any sort of dignity, yet could find none.
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Post by ponybones on Sept 29, 2014 2:02:13 GMT -5
"Brave wasn't my intention." Cain replied, shaking his head and looking back at her, watching her try to get her weight back under her again, standing and balancing on her weakened frame. "The entire herd suffers from one voice of dissent. During times of low morale such as these, one whisper becomes a roar, once the idea starts being entertained. I hoped for unity." It was true, that is what he wanted. If he could get enough to his side, truly, then maybe there would be a way to build the herd without demolishing it first. However, as he said before, these horses were mere babies, and knew nothing of life's tribulations, not really. He had lived twice the life of the youngest, and still continued to understand new things on a daily basis, however destruction remained the same in all generations. Cain stepped closer to her as she wobbled, his head low to help in case she fell. "It will stick in their minds, yes, but I fear not for the right reasons."
Looking at her, her intention of hobbling her poor body down to the river became clear, and he couldn't disagree. Washing the filth from it was a good idea. Casting a glance around again, he put his shoulder against hers for her to lean on. "We all make mistakes." He said softly, looking over into her eyes for an instant, with an intensity that could be somewhat overbearing. "But only fools make the same one twice, wouldn't you agree?" Cain gestured for her to walk forward, with him behind her, waiting for her to fall. It was convenient that she was slight of build as he was, otherwise his assistance would look ridiculous, merely a mockery. After some silence, Cain asked, "Why would you concern yourself with how I remember you? I sense that you'd rather be forgotten by me altogether."
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Post by crystaluniicorn on Sept 29, 2014 2:25:23 GMT -5
Be forgotten by him altogether? Well, she didn't quite expect a pity party. ELowen chuckled with his harsh words. " I suppose your right." She was merley a slave. . . a brood. It was only a jest anyways. If anything was to become of her, she would easily be replaceable by the next. Sometimes she thought of the Bachelors as a factory, constantly pumping out bigger and stronger stallions and a solid harem of mares to fuel this 'factory.' It was a cruel world, but one she had learnt to deal with. His body and his tongue spoke different languages and it was beginning to become hard for her to read again.
For now, she would tip toe.
Surprisingly they had made it down to the riverside without much trouble or so much as a second glance from the rest of the herd. A much welcomed calm seemed to fall upon them as she entered the water, wadding in just far enough that her own buoyancy took pressure off her injury and flaked the foul mud caked to her coat. Elowen dipped her muzzle into the cool of the river, pushing water over her back to bathe herself. In all her life, she hadn't appreciated the feeling of water as she did now. It rejuvenated her and relieved the sore of her eyes.
He certainly had a way with words. He seemed to know exactly and deeply about what he spoke of at all times. It was quite intimidating. And things never seemed to be black and white. There was a grey area to him that would take much more then a few conversations to figure out. If she could at all. Exactly why he had drew her to him was something beyond her, but something to keep her mind turning instead of being stagnant in the mindless pool of brood gossip enticed her.
" I Agree." The mare finally chimed, ears perked forwards not because of his company but the soothe of the water. " Although if that journey apparently failed to bring unity to them, how do you plan to cure them of this disdain? That is if only a fool makes the same mistake twice?" The mare asked, her voice soft and sincere. She was genuinely curious of this, possibly she could learn a thing or two from him. " That is, if I'm allowed." Elowen bowed her head slightly, remembering her position.
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