Beneath the impassibly rugged face of the easternmost mountain range, two caves (or prison cells- she was yet to learn their true purpose) had been carved. Bathed in the deep shadow of a thundery morning, the one nearest to the cascading water kept safely hidden the missing Sultana, Africa the Starry-Eyed, and had done so since the very last blizzard of Frostfall when Midas the Gallant had stolen her boldly from harm’s grip. Light-golden eyes peered out through dense rain quietly and found the lovely soft green cloak which had been stuffed for the most part of winter inside the leather-satchel set down by the back wall of her cool, damp sanctuary. It was draped delicately across two low shrubs, spread out with care so that it might be washed well by Birdsong’s first rain and then perhaps dried in turn when the bright sun grew again fierce enough to burn away all of the clouds. Already the old desert dust had been rinsed away, and the lovely moss green hue had returned. The one-winged mare sighed deeply, pensively, right as thunder again rumbled heavily through the bleak atmosphere above. She stepped from the rock shelter, the mild warmth it offered, and into the cold steadily plunging rain. Even before she had crossed soggy grass to reach the cloak, her coat was quite soaked through – it was thin and patchy, sagging terribly between starving hips and to either side of her spine’s steep pitch. Her long, unkempt mane grew heavy (as did her tail), and her neck bowed feebly as it struggled to keep thin lips clear of the ground. Vain troubles had ruined her appetite and she had barely scraped through Frostfall; mentally she was ailing, though since her arrival here and the gentle grace of her brother, Africa’s outlook was improving progressively. She reached the bushes in the same moment as her steadfast companion, and together they worked to turn over the fabric. 'Doesn’t it look so much cleaner?' she asked him, eyes brightening as the water dribbling from its tapered brim turned crystal clear- it was exactly the result she had hoped for, and Silas crooned fondly before fluttering clumsily back to the cave to preen waterlogged wings. Shivering, the dappled Pegasus turned to follow. |
[OPEN] Trash n Treasure
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White December The rain was a welcoming sight to the mare, and she embraced its assault on her alabaster coat, soaking her thick bodice to the bone and sending shivers along her spine. How the rain brought life back into her. She wasted no time in lurching forward, breaking into a gallop and working her way speedily up the hills, giving her muscles a stretch after the long frigid Frostfall. Had she know that Birdsong would be so beautiful here in the Falls, she wouldn't have been so reluctant to come in the first place. Not that she had been pressured into coming, Midas had only offered his home in the kindest gesture. To refuse would have been her loss, not his. The damp air filled her lungs, expanding her chest momentarily as emotion flickered beneath December's steel orbs, something that was certainly rare. There were moments when she was quite a normal girl, having emotions like everyone else and expressing them without restraint. But those were her vulnerable phases. Soon her expression ceased... expressing... when the scent of another hit her smoky maw. Working her build to a halt, she jogged in place momentarily, before catching a glimpse of red and grey disappearing into a lonely cave wedged into the Fall's mountainside. To go would certainly mean having to talk to someone. That wasn't very appealing. The ache in her side though as her curiosity gnawed into was enough to make her physically shift, and the thoughtful one took this moment to well, think. Weighing her options, the logical side of her knew that it was most likely a new herd member and she would only be setting herself up for socialization, but that curiosity begged and pleaded and nudged and prodded! With a shake of herself to remove some of the water weight off her shedding coat, she finally gave in to her temptation. She justified it her weakness by reminding herself that this someone could be trespassing, and to not make sure would be irresponsible as a herd member. Working her way slowly up the slim pathway, White December eventually made it up to the cave entrance. To her right she found a piece of fabric laying about, it blending into the forestry with its mossy hue. Her nostrils flared to take in its scent, noting it belonged to the stranger, and took a step to the left to finally peer into the cave. There, she would find a mare much like herself, skin and bone from the looks of things, with a strange creature at her side. Not only that, but her mane and tail were aflame. Panic flared in her eyes, and the mare dashed forward, attempting to push the slightly smaller mare out into the rain in an attempt to drench the fire. As she did so, she noticed how the flame licked at her, and when it touched her coat she felt nothing, as if it were a mere illusion. Stepping back, December looked at the flames more closely, forgetting for a moment that they were attached to a most-likely pissed of horse. Their light flickered in the reflection of her eyes, and she was almost hypnotized. It was one of those times where December forgot she was in company, and her curiosity bloomed from within. She stared for a few seconds longer, before snapping back into reality and promptly stepped back, trying to hide her embarrassment by shaking her head and tossing her white, grey tipped mane. Looking the creature up and down once more, she didn't know how to really respond. She needed a distraction badly. Her gaze washed over the fellow mare once again, and soon an idea clicked into her mind. She worked herself past her, turning abruptly and searching the new-growing trees for any sustenance. Her nose then went to the ground, still cold from Frostfall's wrath, and searched the melting ice for any stray shrub. It took her a few good minutes, but soon the Shire found a meager pile of vegetation, and brought it back to the edge of the cavern, setting it down and nudging it closer to the fem. Flickering a steel tipped ear, she lifted her head up confidently, looking into the mare's gold eyes and finally speaking,"Eat." "Speech" Text Thought {WC: 714 PLEASE TAG ME IN ALL POSTS! Force is permitted aside from death or maiming
12-13-2014, 05:26 PM
White December The companion upon the mare's back was furious with her. Swooping about in attempts to assault her, pushing her back and warning her to keep away from its loved one. It had all happened too fast for her to respond, and she was left watching the creature with ruffled feathers and a glare headed in her direction because of the commotion she had caused. She didn't blame him, she would have been the same way if someone had suddenly attempted to shove her out into the freezing rain. Her water-soaked tail lashed at her hips, and she couldn't help but enjoy the goosebumps that ran along her hide. She would never grow tired of this weather, never in a million years. Soon the woman was thanking her, looking at the minuscule pile with minor disinterest, clearly not wanting to eat it. Africa was what she introduced herself as, and December only flicked her ear in response, gaze unwavering before she too finally spoke,"White December. Don't eat it if you don't want to, it just looked like you needed nourishment. Not everyone can handle Frostfall very well." The water dripped from her tresses and pooled down her grey pointed legs, a pool filling itself around her hooves. If she didn't drive off soon she would catch a cold in no time, but how she savored the harsh temperature against her warm build. Her instincts kicked in of course, and with a slightly lowering of her head to be polite, she added off of the other one's words,"Yes. But not enough for me to keep standing in it and risk getting sick. Mind making room for me?" She waited in place of course, not wanting to be rude and barge in, having had past experiences with it and not having been too pleased. Should Africa say yes, she would move in, making sure to keep a good distance before shaking off the wet, rolling her shoulders to remove any stiffness, and to lean softly against a cool cave wall. Looking the dapple up and down, she studied the flickering light on her hair, the small companion on her rump, and the spot where a wing should be placed. She was a Pegasus, like Midas was, but she seemed to no longer have the ability to fly. She had seen a lot of Pegasi lately who have lost their wings... literally. Her gaze returned to the small creature, eyeing the feathers and the long tail, the color of it and its small face. She had never encountered something like it before. How the questions continued to build in her mind, and how her stubbornness fought back against the curiosity, refusing to add on to any conversation. It was the damn curiosity that got her into this mess, and now she somehow had to figure her way out of it. But she also couldn't leave the malnourished mare, not in that state, perhaps she should find some herbs in order to give her the nutrients she needed. Even so, with vegetation just returning to the Falls, it would be unlikely that she would find anything of use. She tucked that idea back away into her mind for another time, and focused on the task now; figuring out what that damn thing was. Soon enough, her curiosity prevailed and she was stepping forward slightly, looking at the creature and flaring her nostrils in an attempt to get its scent,"Pardon my rudeness, but what is your companion supposed to be exactly. That's what... he or she is correct? A companion?" She still had much to learn while she was living here. "Speech" Text Thought {WC: 608 PLEASE TAG ME IN ALL POSTS! Force is permitted aside from death or maiming
12-18-2014, 05:55 PM
@[December], I’m so sorry this took so long. I have kids and they leech my time at varying rates >.<
White December Noticing that despite her best attempts that she had flickered wetness onto the fellow herd member, she gave an apologetic snort, taking every movement of the suspicious creature perching. Her body welcomed the warmth that soon began to seep through her bones, even though it still missed the cooler rain. Her eyes missed very little of Africa's movements, and couldn't help but be slightly amused by her brightened expression. She seemed to like having company, entirely the opposite of herself. She wouldn't judge that of course, and she patiently listened as she explained who Silas was and their relationship. It made her wonder what it would be like to have a companion. To share a bond so deeply with another creature that should you lose them, your life would forever change. She had heard stories from other horses about how most received a companion as a gift, one that hatched from an egg or an orb and you had to raise it on your own. She didn't know how well she would do at caring for anything, although she never neglected those in need, she always felt she wasn't very good at it. Her eyes took a glance at the flaming mare's wobbly knees and bony bodice, causing a pang of concern fill her up inside. Her face of course was blank as it had been before, and with a swish of her tail she listened politely to Africa's simple question, and looked out the entrance of the cave, the pitter patter of rain still evident,"Yes. I came here around the middle of Frostfall. Midas offered the Falls as my new home. There are many new things here to me." She took this time to look at Silas once more, face still as calm as ever as she studied him for a brief moment, before looking back to Africa. "Might I ask why you came here? Unless you don't want to tell me, then that's fine too. We really should find you something eat though." December wasn't normally this gentle to other horses, or anyone for that matter, but she couldn't help but see the genuine kindness in this mare, and she almost as if she were to continue with her normal brash exterior, she would break the poor dappled beauty into pieces. It was extremely hard to see the white draft in such a state, but there were always those moments where one could see the girl's heart for what it was; pure. "Speech" Text Thought {WC: 415 PLEASE TAG ME IN ALL POSTS! Force is permitted aside from death or maiming
@[December]
12-27-2014, 12:44 AM
I heard his name, and I came. What were they saying of my brother?
There were two mares, Africa and the one I had met not a while ago. Midas had brought the Sultana of the Throat here? Why? Did he love her, or her to him? Were they siblings, friends? I came as a blur of gold and blonde, halting at the entrance of the cave, the rain still pouring heavily. Normally, I would ask who they were and why they were in a prison cell, but I wanted to know more of this Midas-Sultana situation. As I glanced them over, my happiness visibly dropped. Africa, she is gorgeous and powerful-- even without an appendage she must cherish dearly. All the stallions must love her. "Hello Sultana and Friend." I said plainly, my soft voice almost drowned out by the rain. I wondered secretly if this was jealousy. Did I like the stallion more than friends? No, that wasn't possible. I wouldn't love him... Mares probably throw themselves at him. Quickly, I push the thought out of my mind, a forced smile curving my lips upwards. "Might I enter?" As she stood in the rain, she grew worried. If Midas left for a mare, who would she go to for advice? Who would be her friend? It was nonsense to believe I couldn't go to him for a conversation if he had a mate. I'm just overthinking things. I don't love Midas, he's a friend and that is all. I ended my train of thought on that note. My conclusion that Midas and I were just friends settled in my mind comfortably. I couldn't like him more than that, it was impossible. It was the birdsong willies, they made me crazy in love. I glanced backwards, looking into the rain and noticing it bouncing off of a green cloak. "That's yours, right?" I asked Africa, tossing my head in the direction of the cloak-- making it clear that is what I'm talking about. The cloak was beautiful, the rain bouncing off it as it hung, getting washed. I glanced back at them, still curious about the cloak. Had she given it to the white draft? Or was it merely getting cleaned? pixel by baylee
12-27-2014, 10:38 PM
White December She had been honest with her. That was always a plus. She seemed very open to conversation and revealing more about herself, along with learning more about December. She didn't know how to feel about that. Her mind searched for something to say, to respond to her simple answer, but everything seemed not worth mentioning. She supposed the conversation had come to a grinding halt. Not that she minded, conversation seemed only to be well... time consuming and wasteful in her eyes. She didn't need to say anymore though, because soon another figure had approached, her copper bodice and flaxen tresses all too familiar to the mare. She had seen her. At the waterfall the other day. The shiver in her spine returned at the remembrance of her voice, and though this mare had meant no harm, and had actually been quite kind, something inside December curled and knotted with concern. Her relaxed posture slowly stiffened, her head lifting to show her attentiveness to Drom, who greeted Africa with a strange title, and her by the name of friend. She didn't know how to respond to that either. She expected no one to see her as... friend, nor did she really think of anyone as a friend either. If she had to pick someone, it most likely would have been Rostislav. Her mind flashed momentarily to the stud, his eyes looking into hers calmly, and his nonchalant air that he seemed to carry. He had fascinated her, simply because he was just as fine with her being quiet as she was with him being quiet. She hadn't had that kind of company before, and she almost felt it to be refreshing. Their conversation had been rather short, one that she still remembers vividly, and then she was off, and hadn't talked to him since. She didn't know how she felt about that either. At Drom's request, December stiffly moved to the side, quietly nodding her skull to invite the mare in, knowing that Africa wouldn't turn someone away now, even if it meant the trio would be nearly snug, thanks to the ivory mare's massive build. With a swish of her tail she was against the wall, silent and watchful of the Storyteller. What made her accent so... off putting to her? It was familiar but unfamiliar, and very uncomfortable to hear from the chestnut's lips. She didn't mean to act in such a way to Drom, but she couldn't get over the questions in her mind about her voice. She knew she had heard that accent before, and whomever had it she hadn't liked at all. At the mention of the cloak the Shire looked up, peering out and into the rain, where she finally took note of the fabric from before. As its green coloring darkened from the rain, any dirt that was once present now vanished thanks to the falling water. Why would anyone want to wear something? It sound uncomfortable and utterly useless, not to mention it didn't seem very attractive. Though December wasn't one to judge (out loud), so she simply kept quiet, letting Africa take the lead on this one, since she seemed much better with people than she. "Speech" Text Thought {WC: 535 PLEASE TAG ME IN ALL POSTS! Force is permitted aside from death or maiming
@[Dröm]
01-04-2015, 07:19 PM
December was quiet, unusually so. What had I done coming here? Why couldn't I have jut stayed in solitude, alone. Why did I have to feel, to desire friendship and company? Why couldn't I be happy alone? It was like part of me craved interaction. It craved a touch of warmth and love for my heart that continued to grow weary. I wondered if Helovia was truly the place for me. Was the Hidden Falls truly the place for me? My gaze fell to the floor, my smile vanishing for now. Suddenly, I felt like a stranger in my own home, as if I didn't belong. With that thought heavy on my mind, I backed up, away from the prison. I had just asked for entrance, but it's something I did not want anymore. The cool rain felt good, so I took it in. "Actually, it's okay. It looks rather cramped in there." My smile once more grazed my features, a display of politeness.
"Well, your cloak is quite beautiful, perhaps I'll get one of equal brilliance one day." I said, my beam growing wider, more radiant once the subject had switched to the cloak, but I was still curious about this whole Midas thing. She had been leading a herd! or still was? Why did Midas take her from there? Why did she leave? I wanted to leave, but I would try something first. "I remember when Midas finished this prison, he built it well." I said, admiring the structure for a moment before my gaze returned to the mares. Would speaking of him spark a reaction in her? I still couldn't rap my mind around the fact that she would come here while being a leader? Did she run from power like me? Were we more similar than anticipated? I guess I wasn't in a place to judge. Before the Hidden Falls, I had been a Princess, she had been a queen. I ran away, and I'm assuming she did too. I hadn't let anyone down, for I had only been a princess. She had been a queen, she probably let some people down, but I'm sure there was a king there to hold everything together, or perhaps another King. I had run from my family, had she? It was an eerie thought that perhaps Africa and I are very similar. ooc: sorry, this is kinda horrible <_> @[December] pixel by baylee
01-07-2015, 10:09 PM
White December Despite every attempt to seem nonchalant, both Drom and Africa picked up on her uneasiness. The way Africa seemed to look at her for an answer, as if she had one, and the defeated expression that was evident from Drom's gaze was enough to put December over the edge. She had no intentions of being rude or mean, but she couldn't get rid of the feeling in her gut whenever Drom spoke. Her accent was all too familiar, but also foreign, and the fact that she couldn't decipher what it meant drove the mare up a wall. She needed to be alone, to think this through, to understand so she would no longer act so impolite and uneasy in the presence of the Storyteller, for she had done nothing wrong. She would give up her spot, seeing that Drom suddenly refused the acceptance of entry they had given. Perhaps it was because of her attitude she had felt this way. She couldn't blame her, it wasn't like she was being nice. Working herself back into a more solid position, she turned to Africa with a sudden eagerness to move,"I must go. I have other things that need attending to. It was a pleasure to meet you." She only hoped the two wouldn't mind, they seemed awfully focused on that cloak hanging out in the rain anyway, and she had no desire to talk about fabric with them. She'd leave them to it. Walking back out in the cold, she closed her eyes to embrace the coolness once again, it relaxing her tension that pulsed throughout her. Her skull turned to meet Drom's gaze, trying to remain as calm as possible, as she finally addressed her,"Farewell Drom. Enjoy your conversation with Africa." With that she turned, making her way back down the steep path, to return to her sanctuary of solitude, where she could relax and be at peace with her mind for just a little while. "Speech" Text Thought {WC:328 PLEASE TAG ME IN ALL POSTS! Force is permitted aside from death or maiming
01-08-2015, 10:38 PM
@[Dröm] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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