[MEETING] Nothing is Certain but Change - Printable Version +- HELOVIA || The Way to the Sun (http://helovia.com) +-- Forum: The Regions (http://helovia.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=18) +--- Forum: The Regions (http://helovia.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=114) +---- Forum: World's Edge (http://helovia.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=20) +---- Thread: [MEETING] Nothing is Certain but Change (/showthread.php?tid=27194) |
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Nothing is Certain but Change - Tembovu - 04-26-2017 tembovu
The Elephant was tired. Weariness lined every thick muscle that moved beneath his scarred, silvered buckskin hide. The lines around his darkened eyes were deeper, more numerous, than they had been in previous years of his Kingship. But, to the giant Dorobian stallion, it was not his own exhaustion that mattered so much. No. It was that his actions as King (he felt) were lacking. There were new faces in the Edge that he had not yet met, stories of new member’s lives that he had not asked after, arguments between members he had been disinterested in resolving, new births and companions he had turned a blind eye to. And, though he had remained dutifully in his station and shown no outright negligence, to him, these were grievous faults against any King. A King who did not love his station… well, that was King who was undeserving of those he led. And there was the matter of his family… His twins ran wild with a concerning darkness in their actions. His firstborn, Hawezi, had been gone so long…a long and prolonged blink hid the self-reproach and pain in his navy eyes. His two spotted twins… Zubari harbored some innate hatred for him and Katua, too, was missing. And Safiri—his sweet flower of a child, she wanted nothing more than his attention and time…and he could barely give her that with his duties. As his dark lids rose, he did not give himself time to think of Rexanna and their arguments or patchwork apologies. So, despite his tall stature, it was not with his usual proud head carriage that he let his loud and unmistakable elephantine call cover the Edge, “Edge, gather!” But, even to his own ears, it sounded more tired than it had in the past. So he waited, calm and still, beneath the lilac canopy in the cool early morning of Tallsun. [wait for arrivals] His dark eyes swept over all those gathered—and, where he normally would grin and greet those of his herd, only slight nods with tired and sad eyes were given to his friends and Edge family. He waited for silence—or, perhaps, waiting to see if there would be some sign that what he was about to say should wait; or that it was the right thing to do. A man whose actions oft have far-reaching consequences does not necessarily become used to those consequences. A deep breath expanded his slabbed, black-slashed sides before his low voice began to roll over the herd, “My Edge, I call you here first to thank you—I never thought I’d be worthy of a Kingship, and you have all taught me so very much,” he paused, another heavy breath, “And because of what you have taught me, and what you’ve shown me, it is time for another to take my place,” his gaze looked briefly to the Devoted, knowing that his choice in her had altered much of her life—and, now, he was about to do it once again. And then he looked to Lyanna, “Lyanna will be your new Queen. She has guided both Alysanne and myself in many herd decisions. I trust her entirely to lead you as well—or better—than myself,” another pause as his eyes heavily weighed on the blue-tinged pegasus mare, before turning to the young and dark man with foxes—Mauja had thought so highly of him, “And, to help our new monarch, Sacre shall offer guidance as Emissary. Though young, he has shown both dedication and duty to the Edge.” Then to the faithful and faultless Moon Doctor, “Tilney, you are as loyal as any to the Edge, and I would have you lead our healing ranks. They need your guidance, my friend. And Yael, I welcome you to our Sage ranks.” The Elephant (King no longer), fell silent then. A strange, heavy buoyancy filled his chest; like a balloon filled mostly with helium and partly lead. He blinked quickly few times, before his eyes sought those of his children and mate—perhaps in for assurance or confirmation of his choice. Regardless, any further words were stolen from him by the emotions that clouded his chest, mind, and throat. And the Elephant the elephant king Thank you all so much for letting Tembovu lead for so long! <3 Congratulations to Lyanna as the new WE Queen! And to Sacre as the new Emissary! Tilney is our new lead Moon Doctor! And Yael is our new Sage! <3 RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Alysanne - 04-26-2017 i lit a flame in my heart to guide you home Change was coming and Alysanne had been expecting it for some time. She met it with mixed feelings - much of the animosity she felt for Tembovu had been buried and dimmed over the year that they had ruled side by side but she had noticed how he had been more absent than normal. Once, she had felt aggravated that she hadn’t even been able to take a walk in the Edge without accidentally bumping into him - or he had always always showed up to greet newcomers. She didn’t forget the tired, dismissive way he had spoken to her when they had discussed the actions of a former herd member with Lyanna. Alysanne took her spot beside Tembovu, noting with concern his lack of greeting to everyone that gathered. Despite the bad news that was coming - the Edge was losing a king that many of them loved - there was good news that chased it. She stood quietly, letting Tembovu get through everything he needed to say. Alysanne didn’t believe in final endings, Helovia had taught her that very little actually ended - so she did not truly believe this was the end of the Elephant King. He might just need a break - time to focus on his family, time to reset and rest. Her green gaze was soft on him when she turned her attention to him, offering what little words of comfort she could. “We’ll miss you as our king, Tembovu. I hope you’ll stay here, in your home and with your herd.” She knew that many would find the Edge strange without him around, and she could hardly begrudge them for that. How many faces did she still miss from years gone by? A smile formed in her eyes, warm when she looked out to the herd and found everyone who had been named. “And congratulations to everyone, these promotions are all very well deserved. We will be looking for Moon Doctors to replace Sacre and Lyanna and work with Tilney. And we'll be seeking a new glazier as well. Graasvoel has decided to step aside so that he can focus on his young family.” Her gaze found Dragomir - curious as to whether he would be interested in taking up his old position once more. We will be posting applications for Moon Doctor and Glazier soon so please keep an eye out! RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Lyanna - 04-26-2017 so i listen to the wind for an answer She has grown used to Alysanne and Tembovu’s calls. They are familiar to her in the same way her parents calls had once been familiar to her, and it’s without reservation that she makes her way toward the usual meeting spot. But it’s clear, quickly, that something is wrong. Tembovu is not himself, not quite as proud, his greetings much more subdued. Her mind immediately kicks into gear, looking for any outward sides of injury or sickness. She can find nothing but tired circles under his eyes, and she cannot figure out what those might mean without asking more questions. They could simply mean he is tired, after all, between being King and raising a family. When they all gather and he speaks, everything starts out wrong. This is not how meetings go. No, not usually, except when Elsa had called them all together to step down. But somehow she cannot wrap her mind around the possibility of this. To her, there was no other King. She has never seen another in the Edge, never really thought she would see another. If you are called the Elephant King, it is because you are destined to be King. And then he looks at her. Her teal eyes widen just slightly as her name ushers out of his lips, and it’s all she can do to keep her mind trained to his words. Queen. Her? She wouldn’t believe if he weren’t starting right at her, thinking the sound of her name to just be a trick of the wind. But there are no other names like hers in the Edge. She almost laughs aloud when he says she might even serve this place better. No, that she could not do. She could never dream to fill his shoes. She could only dream to do his legacy justice, to serve the Edge to the best of her ability. Hopefully, the rest of the herd would be willing to give her that chance. It is not fresh, but she hasn’t forgotten Aly’s reception on the throne, and now, there were two healers sitting there. But she could fix that. She could be better. She could be what her brother had always wanted to be. At least, she could try. She waits until he finishes, trying to catch Sacre and Yael’s eyes when their promotions are also announced, nodding to each. Her excitement for both of them helps to diminish her own nerves, at least momentarily, and her grin gets a little bigger for Yael. When Alysanne is also done, her eyes find Tembovu again, nodding toward their King. Not former. He would always be the Elephant King. And she hopes, somehow through the look in her eye, that the throne will always be his. At least in some way. “It won’t be the same without you,” she says to Tembovu, her voice quiet, loud enough for him to hear and those nearby her. Then, louder, pulling herself up in the once she once stood when she served her old home as Princess, the way her mother once stood as Queen. “I will do my best to serve the Edge if you will have me.” She was never destined to be Queen in Morham. She was destined to be a princess, to be used for alliances and to live the life she chose. And she never dreamed of a throne when she came here. She simply dreamed of a new life, one to help ease the pain of her own. And suddenly, she has a family bigger than she could have ever imagined. Suddenly, she has a life she never thought possible. And it was a good one. lyanna RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Maude - 04-27-2017
RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Dragomir - 04-27-2017
JETTSTOCK : SED-RAH-STOCK : GALAXIESANDDUST @Alysanne for the mouthed word looooool RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Amaris - 04-27-2017 amaris dragonborn
What is that? It's a call.. For what? A gathering. For what? A meeting. About what? Suppose we'll have to go find out. Humph, the usual conclusion to their little discussions was punctuated by a huff of smoky breath, as the little dragon-king preened himself on his branch. How dare any think they could summon him, the golden king dragon of Helovia? How dare they think they held jurisdiction over him like he was common peasant? Amusement suddenly flooded him, though it was a foreign emotion - it leaked though the bond from his beloved, who evidently found his point of view amusing. You know, if you were a King, you would have to answer to your people. How is this any different? she probed gently, as they made their way across the lands. Choice, choice is the difference, the dragon answered simply, refusing to voice anything more on the matter. It would be the first herd meeting they had attended since re-joining, and nervous anticipation mounted within them, setting the dragonmare's nerves on edge, making her shy and pause at every bend and twist and turn as it played tricks on her mind. Finally, after what seemed like an age, they arrived, and the anxiety rose with it - crowds were never her thing, she was never a natural speaker to the masses like her mother, never comfortable having numerous pairs of eyes gazing at her. So the mare arrived and situated herself on the edge, still a part of the meeting and able to hear and see all the goings-on, but unwilling to step forward. Hell, the last time she had tried to step forward, everything went wrong. When Kahlua was hosting trials to take the mantle of leader of the herd, Amaris had tried, and she had failed - though hopefully with a lesson learned. The dragonmare did what she could to distract herself from her mounting nerves by observing the gathered, noting the familiar faces with a smile and nod, sometimes a low whicker of greeting should they venture near enough, otherwise drinking what information her eyes and ears could give her otherwise. It wasn't long until Tembovu began speaking then, and the dragonmare turned her keen gaze to the Elephant King, to scrutinise and learn what she could of him. He had been at her mother's death, a mostly silent, strong statue of strength. Amaris couldn't recall what rank he had held then, as far as she knew, Mauja had been King then - but then, it seemed, Mauja was now absent from the herd entirely. She listened to what he had to say, and was surprised at the nature of his announcement, his resignation. He appointed a new Queen in his stead, and Amaris looked to Alysanne and Lyanna - she had met the former Healer at a lesson she had hosted not long ago, her memories weren't plentiful but were at least pleasant of the mare. And Alysanne, she was another like Dragomir, one who Amaris was sure she should remember more of, but perhaps the mare was simply a familiar face from the herd from when she was but a foal, before war and wraiths ravaged the lands. At the other promotions, Amaris allowed a smile to curl her lips, pleased to recognise at least some of the names being moved around the ranks. Yael was a worthy recipient of almost any rank, Amaris thought, the mare was certainly capable but more importantly, willing to, and yearning to learn all she could. "Congratulations," Amaris offered, softly echoing the resounding call Maude had thrust upon the gathered. There was not much more she could contribute, and so she remained silent otherwise, waiting to see if anything else would arise from this momentous occasion. sky above me — earth below me and fire within me RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Isopia - 04-27-2017
RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Yael - 04-27-2017 yael No stranger to the winds of change, the old woman has weathered her fair share of changing thrones and herd meetings. It is the way of kingdoms and herdlands, the ebb and flow of workloads grows too much for some - the allure of a life lived only for themselves and loved ones far stronger than the strength it takes to exist in the public eye. Privacy. A true sanctuary. As the hot winds turn cold again, so does the Edge rotate with the seasons, and when Tembovu’s call rings across the pine-forested land, Yael obliges. She is unable to find a spot next to Lyanna, so the gilded woman parks herself next to Amaris, wingtips gliding along the leather skin of the other’s wings. Gold, champagne, and silver creating a rather splendid metallic party between the two women. Her gaze wanders around the assembled before Tembovu begins, nodding to her friends and those she is only marginally acquainted with. trust your heart if the seas catch fire live by love, though the stars walk backwards Mentions @Lyanna @Graasvoel and @Amaris RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Sacre - 04-27-2017
RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Sansa - 04-30-2017
RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Aaron - 04-30-2017
Brush- http://www.obsidiandawn.com @Dragomir and @Alysanne for mentions <3 RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Tilney - 05-04-2017 T I L N E Y
RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Roskuld - 05-07-2017
late but here have some Salty Ros™ RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Mesec - 05-09-2017 Mesec was running a little late, though that seemed to be the theme for his stay in the Edge. It was only when he arrived, choosing to linger near the back of the crowd instead of push his way forward and find a spot to stand beside one of his friends, that he realized that teleporting here would have certainly saved him some time. This realization caused laughter to echo through the bonds of both Lyra and Lucius. Lucius was circling overhead as usual while Lyra clung to Mesec’s back - her violet eyes bright and eager to pick out one of her friends. mesec I'll fight to survive through this thunderous life @Isopia for ~news~ RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Alysanne - 05-09-2017 i lit a flame in my heart to guide you home It felt as though Alysanne could actually feel her blood pressure rise as the members of the herd arrived, as they came to stand before Tembovu and hear his news. She didn’t enjoy watching the play of emotions on their faces - nor hear the verbal denial shouted by their General - and it twisted her gut. Tembovu was loved by this herd (most of it, anyway) and they were sad to see him go. But just as they were sad to see that they would no longer have a king, many were happy to see Lyanna step up and take his place and that warmed Alysanne’s heart. Her green eyes positively shone as she listened to Lyanna accept the place - and she tried to not give into the rising fear that the herd was going to turn against her. That this would end up being similar to the meeting a year ago when Alysanne was named queen and they almost had a riot. But no such reactions occurred. Young Sacre, too, took his promotion in stride. She hoped to get a chance to speak to him soon, to reassure him. Aaron joined Dragomir’s side and Alysanne smiled - wishing she could speak plainly to them both as she remembered that it was not just one of the equine stallions that had served the Edge as Glazier before but both. Would they both be interested in taking up their old position? Surely they could find a way to accommodate them if that was the case… But without singling them out with words, she could only nod encouragingly and hope they would each think over the idea. Their Seer, Isopia, did not join in with the congratulations but instead brought up another subject. Mesec too, mentioned being attacked by birds while he had been on patrol and it reminded Alysanne of her trip to the caves with Naerys. Were these strange occurrences somehow linked? “My daughter and I faced spiders in the caves on our patrol too… thousands of them pouring out of the cracks in the earth. Has anyone else witnessed something strange while out on their patrols?” Chills ran through her remembering what it was like to see so many glowing red eyes cover every surface. Her gaze shifted back to Isopia, her frown showing her concern plainly. “What did our Goddess have to say?” RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Lyanna - 05-10-2017 so i listen to the wind for an answer They come, and some smile and offer congratulations, but it feels hollow. She doesn’t blame them, either. Tembovu is no longer King. There is a sadness that lingers over the meeting and those that gathered. How can there not be? Too, she notices, the group is small. Not all of the herd is here, and she wonders if they are gone entirely or just unwilling to stand here. And if so, for what reason? They couldn’t have known what this meeting was about before, couldn’t be abstaining from watching her take the throne. Even she hadn’t known what was about to happen. So then where were they? Why weren’t they here? She tries to nod at those that offer her congratulations or a nod of recognition. Her eyes linger on Sacre for a moment, returning his smile. Her face remains a pleasant mask of gratitude tinged with sadness. Her place is not in front of the Edge but within it, as their Moon Doctor. Tembovu’s place is before them. What her face doesn’t show is the growing worry. Their numbers seem small in comparison to the groups that used to gather when Tembovu called them. She was afraid without him, they would continue to dwindle. Afraid that she would not be enough to fill the void he would leave behind. Tilney’s response nearly breaks her heart. She smiles at him slightly, “Of course I’ll still come,” she says quietly, the response designed for his ears, though certainly not kept from others. Ros flatly refuses to believe it, and that too breaks Lyanna’s heart. Not because she cares that there’s no congratulations from Ros’s lips – she doesn’t – but because she understands how Ros feels. She would have to see what she could do to make it better, but then, what could she possibly do? Lead. She could lead, as best she knew how. But she could get to know Ros better as well. They had met once, long ago, when Lyanna had been new and Ros had been looking for someone, but she remembers the day well. It had been too long since they’d talked since. She is endlessly thankful when Isopia brings up the Moon Goddess, and Mesec their recent patrols. This is a much better topic, and her ears flick forward as Alysanne says they too were attacked on patrol. Lyanna listens to everything they say, thinking that perhaps she needed to get her butt in gear and get out on patrols with her herd more now. It had always seemed more important to keep the greenhouse and garden in check before. But now? Now she would need to be in more places than ever before. “If anything strange happens after this meeting, please come let Alysanne or myself know as well.” She adds simply, wanting to make sure they at least kept track of the information, even if it didn’t lead them to many answers. lyanna @Tilney for direct reply RE: Nothing is Certain but Change - Isopia - 05-11-2017
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