Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Printable Version +- HELOVIA || The Way to the Sun (http://helovia.com) +-- Forum: Out of Character (http://helovia.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1) +--- Forum: Archives (http://helovia.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=11) +--- Thread: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] (/showthread.php?tid=12902) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Coika - 02-24-2014 Coika slipped through rough trunks, visage held low. She was slinking – catlike, after a fashion – as if this offered any more safety. She’d be naïve to think that anything could camouflage her in the forest; she was born for mountainous terrain littered with snow-capped boulders. Blending in wasn’t an option in the forest no matter the season. The mare paused to catch any indication the air might carry, then heaved an enormous sigh before violently shaking her body to loosen the icy grip layers of snow had laid upon her. I can't be the only one left. None of this is real. It wasn't as though she'd know how to behave in the company of another. In her mind, she must have done something to end up alone and homeless. But, whatever it was, she wasn't at all apologetic. How can one feel remorse when they don't even know what they've done to warrant it? She'd been walking for weeks; aimlessly braving the elements in this dead winter was the only thing she knew to do. Just keep walking. Just. Keep. Walking. It was a redundant song that played in her head -- a broken record of sorts. And so, as was her way, she lifted her feet once more and continued on her path to nowhere in particular. Each step was placed with great care and fluid, catlike movement. While the goal was to be silent, crunching layers of ice and snow betrayed the mare’s stealthy gait. Her thick neck bent to allow her sight beyond the next tree. Barren. All barren. Perhaps it was for the best. Solitude had become comforting. The last real sight she’d seen was the split head of her “friend” – if you could call him that. If you were to ask Coika, he was more of a nuisance and, “Good riddance.” Still, she couldn’t shake the sight of his precious ruptured skull. While she was generally indifferent in regards to his death, something about the way he’d looked in his last moments continued to hold her curiosity. The sky had gone shades of magenta and violet behind cloud cover that would distort any horse’s depth perception. Coika made it a point to avoid watching as dizzying gray wisps floated across heavy, dark snow clouds. Nighttime was fast approaching, and the mare knew she needed to find a place to bed down. She grunted in disdain, remembering hunger. Sharp hooves struck icy ground cover, freeing and fragmenting pieces that she eagerly consumed. At least there’s water, she considered before playing the broken record once more in search of shelter. Steadily, she descended a steep path. There must be something here, she considered with bleak hope. A bird zipped past her unexpectedly, and came a misstep that sent the young nomad sliding down the incline. She squealed and roared (as best a horse might), thrashing desperately for footing. As abruptly as the potential disaster began, it ended as Coika's body slammed against a tree at the foot of the hill. With the impact, snow crashed down atop the mare from the assaulted tree's limbs. Coika lay quietly, irritated at herself. A bird. Honestly. Slowly, she came to her feet. Blood seeped from a wound on her shoulder, running down her leg and pooling at her feet. She raised her head high, and bright globes scanned for any promising shelter nearby. Defeated in her search, she lowered her head and retreated in hiding behind the blinds of her own closed eyes. Not much longer now, her mind sang as the mare drifted to sleep. (Please excuse the lack of a proper, flashy format. It is in the works.) RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Elsa - 02-25-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Coika - 02-25-2014 Behind closed eyes, the stillness around Coika had become a blur of foggy sound, distorted as sleep crept out to consume the mare. Sweet copper contaminated her senses as she continued to bleed out. Beneath the wind, the faint crunching of quick gait shook the mare, pulling her from the clutches of sleep. An unfamiliar voice sliced through, fully waking the mare’s resting mind. Slowly, the blinds were drawn up, and into focus came the form of another. Do you need help? the gentle voice inquired. Coika considered the question, but she would not answer. Replies could all-too-often be dangerous, and admitting any kind of distress or need would be a sign of weakness. Instead, she focused in on the ghostly figure before her, studying intently. Wings? Her gaze followed the gentle, yet deliberate, lines of feathers. ”None of this is real,” her voice rang out, addressing no one in particular. How could it be real? Horses didn’t have wings. But the stench of battle that emanated from the figure was too vivid to be anything but real. Indeed, the winged horse that had addressed her was in the flesh. ”Dreams don’t smell,” she muttered as her head jerked up in attention. Elsa. Elsa. Elsa. She’d never forget the name. Ignoring the pain of her wound, her legs carried her forward before she had time to suggest they halt. Her approach was commanding, and perhaps a bit rude. Nostrils flared as she stretched out to “meet” Elsa. The whiskers of her muzzle brushed against Elsa’s face and ears before the mare jerked back and pranced in place nervously. Her hide twitched and tail slapped at her sides, evidence of some kind of excitement. Slowly, she circled, crowding the strange creature, pondering the wings. Soft, shrill squeals and stomping hooves warned against further approach. Ears pinned and perked in confusion and curiosity. She stopped abruptly, raising nares to the breeze. Empty. ”You’re alone?” she sought to confirm, suspiciously eyeing the mare. Of course. It all made sense. ”Angel of death,” she accused. After such a spill, why else would a lone winged anomaly have happened upon her? RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Nato - 02-25-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Coika - 02-25-2014 Preoccupied in ponderance of the winged beast, Coika had failed to notice the approach of another body. If his voice had startled her, she did not show it, save a slight tell-tale lapse of concentration. Her attention sluggishly turned to the ebon stallion. He stood tall and regal, but Coika noted a mischievous, or perhaps sinister, energy emanating. The gaze of his glowing ruby globes felt piercing. And then she saw the twisted dark horn protruding from his head. Where the… her thoughts trailed. Where had she ended herself? Surreal horses with wings and horns, but sensations that were too real for this to be her dreamland. To Coika, the stallion’s smile gave him a hungry look, but not hungry for food. Her pelt twitched, and this was all that gave away her discomfort. The two beings that stood before her had made her forget her wound. Addressing the “issue” at hand was much more important, as it were. What do they want? she questioned to herself. Had the winged horse lead an ambush? While there were many questions and uncertainties, the mare was certain that Elsa was not an angel of death. If there was one, it would be the stallion. She’d not approach him… yet. While Elsa’s wings were questionable, the ebon steed’s horn was intimidating and would be taken as a warning. ”Who needs a blade at their side when they wear one on their head,” she mused aloud as she ran through scenarios in her mind. Where should she place herself if this one was out for blood? There were few options with his extended attack range. Should she stand with poise of a fierce competitor, or deter with indirect submission? A fight would surely not end well. With such a strange, obvious weapon, what other strengths was he hiding? And what weakness could he possibly have? To Coika, submission was not an option in such a situation. So, now the question was how she’d go about washing the target from her barrel. Someone hurt? She centered herself, posing as fearlessly as she could, visage held high and ears perked toward the fluid speaker, gaze relaxed. ”Hurt? You must be mistaken,” she spoke with an unwavering voice. She stepped toward the stallion in dignified grace, gazing directly into those bloody eyes. Stupid, or brave, as it may have been, she carried herself so near to him that she could feel the heat his body radiated. With a reach to him, Coika’s hot breaths assaulted the stranger’s muzzle before she removed herself from his space – as much a show of respect she could muster. Her harsh stare softened as she awaited his next move. @[Nato] @[Elsa] (ooc: I'm actually thrilled that Nato decided to pop in. ^_^) RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Elsa - 02-26-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Nato - 02-26-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Coika - 02-26-2014 While she was still unsure of winged Elsa, it became clear that Coika could be at ease regarding the strange one’s intentions. She was no threat, and had stepped forward as though she might be an ally. The gesture was appreciated, and Coika’s nerves settled a bit when Elsa came nearer. The child in her felt compelled to nestle beneath protective cover of Elsa’s soft wing, but she knew better. At least standing together, the pair’s pseudo-unity might quiet any thought of mischief on the stallion’s part. I was just helping her to shelter. A lie, as it were, but one the mare would not uncloak. Let the stallion believe it. You bleed for no reason? The mare hadn’t lied; She was not “hurt,” per se. One benefit of such wicked cold was its numbing effect. The wound she’d sustained had been numbed by bitter wind and a preoccupied mind. Though, without these factors, the pain would still be little compared to what the mare had endured before. It would be laughable. ”Hurt implies pain,” she started, approaching the stallion once more. The longer he stood before her, the less intimidating he became. Of course, she’d not ask for a fight. That was the last thing she wanted, especially with such a competitor. After a pause, she continued, her voice confident. ”Injured, yes, only just.” Confidence building, she drew close, examining the stallion further. So many scars, she noted. Her visage lifted as she addressed him. ”Surely you’ve suffered a wee scratch in your years.” If she came across as taunting, it was not her intent. What horse would want to taunt another with a spear on his head? This time, though, the mare did not retreat from his space. A shelter, I bet that’s nice, the stallion’s smooth voice poured. Coika failed to hide her amusement, her body quaking with a chuckle. I bet it is, she considered inwardly. Being nomadic, the mare typically hadn’t the luxury of shelter. Mostly, she just wished for gentle weather so she’d not have to sleep being assaulted by rain. I’m Nato, the stranger identified himself. He’d not made enough of an impression yet for Coika to commit his name to memory. It was entirely possible, though, for this Nato to change that. At first at his inquiry, Coika considered lying. They didn’t need to know who she really was. But, a stranger in this new world, what did she have to hide? It would be best to not start off with enemies. So, instead of petty lies, truth poured from the mare. ”I am called Coika,” her voice sang as the stallion came closer. She glanced back toward Elsa hoping for reassurance. Now her childish curiosity was getting the better of her. In her last “herd,” she’d never run across strangers. So, rightly, she hadn’t a clue how to conduct herself. She’d have to forget such notions and learn to behave appropriately if she wanted to survive in this world, but for now she’d humor herself. That blade – what exactly was that thing? The mare rose on her hinds, stretching her neck to allow her investigation. Nostrils flared as they sucked in his scent. Her muzzle went to nudge at the horn as a test of its foundation. She hoped he’d understand her intrigue and not be offended. @[Elsa] @[Nato] RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Elsa - 02-26-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Coika - 02-27-2014 COIKA dancing in the dark in the pale moonlight Elsa’s laughter rang through the crisp air and felt like electricity to Coika’s bones. She quaked, confused. Unicorn. Pegasus. What on earth was this mare on about? She returned her feet to the ground, but still stared with uncertainty at Nato. Her head lowered as she shook her body with a sigh. She pawed at the ground nervously, then returned to a poised stance. ”You’re all mad,” she declared matter-of-factly. For now, she felt safe enough. She couldn’t help but to tease, ”That horn do anything other than goring?” Her eyes flickered but could not be read, and tail slapped impatiently. Her weight shifted subtly as the mare prepared to dodge, if by any chance she’d offended the stallion. Elsa seemed intent on removing Coika from the likes of the Threshhold, and the way she spoke made her wonder if this had all been an elaborate plan between Elsa and Nato. It didn’t matter at this point. If the two had been working together, they had Coika in their grasp. Who was she to argue? Caves. Well, wouldn’t that be delightful? Caves had always offered the best shelter in Coika’s experience. But, from the sound of it, Elsa had been held captive in a cave. While she rather liked the idea of finding a cave – it’s what she’d been looking for to begin with – she recalled Elsa mentioning someplace warmer. Warmth would be just as welcome as a cave. The mare returned to Elsa’s side. She turned slightly to watch Nato, nodding her head, beckoning him to join them. She knew he could be a great ally, and didn’t wish to dismiss him just yet. In her peripheral, Nato’s form was blurred. Coika no longer saw Nato, but her fallen comrade – Ero’s bloodied face in his last moments. Tension rose in the mare, and flashbacks came. She was standing over Ero, assaulting him with her hooves, biting and smashing against him in a panic. Say something! Ero, say something, you ass! But he was motionless, crimson pouring onto his jet black cloak. Her body quaked visibly with the memory that was being relived in her head. Indeed, the wounds that pained the mare the most were not physical. This pain was ever-present, and the blurred sight of Nato amplified the pain. As her desperation grew in her memory, her outward panic became more apparent. Lids clenched shut over glazed globes like fists holding tight to air before she burst. She flung around, ears pinned against her head. ”Say something!” the mare cried out angrily as her eyes opened back up to the here-and-now. No Ero, just Nato. Her demeanor quieted; calm cloaked her once more. She stepped back and attempted to wedge herself beneath Elsa’s wing. Her gaze never strayed from Nato, desperation for him to stay evident. @[Nato] @[Elsa] "talkie talkie talkie" nothing scares me anymore RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Nato - 02-27-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Coika - 02-27-2014 COIKA dancing in the dark in the pale moonlight Coika was amused with the stallion’s reaction to her prodding curiosity. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as he initially seemed. Sure, the potential for him to be dangerous lingered, but for now he seemed to pose no threat. Others might not be so forgiving. Well, at least he was. Even with a name to a creature, she was still perplexed. The stallion spoke of disarray of herds. It sounded as if most were separated from their homes and comrades. Coika wouldn’t question this – if the pair kept on at this rate, she’d know all she needed to in swift time. Fatigued? Certainly, she was, but that was not at all the reason for such crazed actions. In three short years, her small herd had all gone in one way or another. Some simply disappeared, others had passed in traumatic fashion to the young one. None, though, had been more traumatic than the loss of Ero. They’d not been lovers or even friends, but it had been just the two of them for more than a year – nearly half of the mare’s short life. When he went, she felt betrayed. And, having never truly been alone, she was lost. Judging his reaction to her outburst, it seemed that an apology was in order. I’m sorry was not in the mare’s vocabulary. She’d truly never uttered the words, or even heard them uttered from others. Closeness was apology to her, a sign that a mistake had been made and a request for forgiveness. So, true to what she knew, she shuffled away from Elsa’s protection and approached the stallion once more. This time, she drew more near to him, head lowered in a show of apologetic submission, and she attempted to press the side of her body to his. In this action, her energy was serene and sincere. @[Nato] @[Elsa] (ooc: Pushing her luck, as it were. Hmmmm.) "talkie talkie talkie" nothing scares me anymore RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Elsa - 02-27-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Nato - 02-27-2014
RE: Precious Ruptured Skull [open] - Coika - 02-27-2014 COIKA dancing in the dark in the pale moonlight Coika didn’t understand Elsa’s laughter at her actions. Was she acting in a way that was strange to the winged mare? Regardless, she found some comfort in feeling his warmth against hers. Flared nostrils took in his scent while the embrace lasted. Indeed, she had been mistaken. There was nothing about Nato that resembled Ero except that blur of black and red she’d seen from the corner of her eye. There was satisfaction in this confirmation: Let the dead be dead. Her pelt twitched in dance when his lips met her spine, and stomach fluttered at the closeness. It wasn’t typical for one to be quite so understanding, but she’d push her luck no more. As he pulled away, she followed suit and turned, dancing on her toes back toward Elsa. She is right, you know. Home? Home was everywhere and nowhere to the mare. But, just maybe, these two had something a bit more permanent in mind. She’d not know what to do with herself having an opportunity to stand still, but it could be just the change she needed. The stallion suggested caves, and her audits perked in approval. A cave would be most welcome in such unsavory weather; Coika had never turned one down before. If there ever was a place she’d felt “at home,” it would be within the embrace of stone and mineral. She now stood with her initial dignified poise, tail flicking in casual, relaxed fashion. ”After you,” her voice sang, her words addressing both Elsa and Nato. She glanced up at the heavens, noting the ever-purpling color. She’d wasted much time in her antics, and it was now time to get down to business. She stepped closer to Elsa, but wouldn’t invade her space as rudely as she’d come into the stallion’s. ”Thank you --” she started, her words for Elsa. ”-- for finding me.” She glanced back at Nato and dipped her head in appreciation to him, too. @[Elsa] @[Nato] "talkie talkie talkie" nothing scares me anymore |