the Rift


Without A Place to Call Home

Qeren Posts: 9
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 16.2 :: 4
AlyGator
#1
The Land about Qeren was a foreign one. It had been a span of months since she'd seen anything that could be claimed as familiar. The unknown expanse had aimlessly lead her from place to place since first she had fled the lands she was born in. And it had impressed Qeren with a weary spirit, tired of the seeming endless journey she wandered. The frozen land had come as a shock from the roasting blaze of sand and sun she had hailed from. She had grown used to the sun's ruthless glare... the frozen times she had stumbled upon had been jarring. But the doe had adjusted.

It wasn't the potential of adventure that had made her feel drained by the long journey. Having a healthy love of adventure... But she had lost a lot over the past months. She had no family to call her own. No place to belong A nomad with no connections. For the difficulties of her life back in the desert - it had been home. Rather made home because of her mother. And as best as her father had been capable, he had made her feel loved as well.

Only it had brought wrath down on them both. The outcasts. Not that Qeren had overly cared. She could take the harsh tongues and hooves of bullies... But it hadn't been a bully that attacked her mother and had come for the young mare as well... It was a much more brutal and violent kind of intent. One that had no doubt lead to the demise of her mother. Leaving her to wonder. No one to go to.

The loss of everyone she loved was what had weighted down upon her. That was what marred the excitement of being on what otherwise would have been considered an adventure.... Hooves thudded over the sod beneath, nostrils flared as the speckled beast snorted, slowing from a canter to a trot. Colorful gems gaze around in the forest about. At last the vixen pulled up, carefully crafted ears flicking about in attempt to gather what sounds could be heard.

Will anywhere feel like home again? came the lonesome thought.

"speech here" thought here

Going ahead and saying she'll be rated M as she doth not have the mouth of a lady.... #swearfest

Tiamat the Ocean's Light Posts: 360
Aurora Basin Lady atk: 8 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: 6 years HP: 60 | Buff: NOVICE
Nimue :: Common Orca Leviathan :: Boil Reli
#2
tiamat
For as many times that the ocean mare has journeyed to the Threshold before, it isn't often that she had planned to be here. It is usually something that just...happens. However, on this brisk, early spring day, it is a different story. With her eyes bright and searching, Tiamat steps purposefully into the shadowed forest, her young companion floating faithfully at her shoulder. Why is this adventure different than the rest? There is no profound justification, or a pronounced explanation behind her motivation. It is simply a sense of duty to her beloved mountain home, and a wistful desire for a distraction, which drives the sapphire maiden forward.

As her cloven hooves step daintily through the frozen underbrush, she wonders idly if Lena had been pointedly searching that rainy day that the two mares had met. She remembers her own Threshold experience like it had been yesterday, rather than years ago. Had the brown healer known that she would change Tiamat’s life forever? Had she known that, with only a few kind words, she would give the blue mare not only a new home, but a new family as well? It is wonderful to think of how a seemingly insignificant moment can open a whole new world for someone. A world that they would otherwise never dream of. How extraordinary life can be!

Tiamat sighs happily, ever pleased with fate and its infinite goodness. She would love nothing more than to give someone else, what Lena had given to her so long ago. Within the northern herd land, she has found so much more than a place to live—she has found a place where she belongs. Whether or not it is the Aurora Basin as it had been for her, she only wants to help a stranger find what she has found.

Fortunately, the ocean mare does not have to search for long. Sooner than she had expected, she catches movement in between the tree trunks. Bidding her dearest companion to follow, she alters her direction, fluted ears slanting forward as she pursues the stranger. “Hello?” Tiamat calls out just before the other mare comes back into view. Casting a friendly smile, she approaches without hesitation, the length of her lion tail curling cheerfully. “Are you by chance new to Helovia?” She inquires, given their location. Remembering to respect the stranger's personal space, she halts a respectable distance away, while Nimue peeks shyly out from behind her.


notes; I typed this on my phone, so I apologize for any errors!
“Speech.”
For her,
the ocean was more than a dream
it was a place she
needed.

image credits
@Qeren
please tag Tia in all replies!
magic & force are permitted.

Qeren Posts: 9
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 16.2 :: 4
AlyGator
#3
It was an alien world that surround Qeren, so very unlike the harsh, brutal hellish sun scorched terrain of sand and heat. The chill even now as the earth attempted to warm once more in the unfurling of spring was greater than the crisp desert nights. That the vixen - in past - would have claimed to numb the flesh. This was not her home. This was not the land of her people. The dappled femme had no home. And she no longer had people. She was more now an outcast. A lone wolf wandering endlessly. Unsure of her own future. Hoping… Wishing that perhaps maybe she would find a place to become home.


One that didn’t know her past. A people who didn’t know she was the bastard daughter of a high born male in her home tribe. It wasn’t that Qeren desired to be saturated completely in the company of others. Often the speckled mare was content to be left alone. But before she had her mother. She had a few close good friends. Even her father to the best of his unfaithful abilities had been there for his bastard and the mare he had loved. Loved. Loved because Qeren knew that her dam was dead. Life given so that Qeren could flee.

And even an introvert such as herself felt the weight of having no one in the world left in her corner. A beast whom enjoyed adventure. Whom loved to learn and experience things anew… This was not how it was wished to explore. It left an aching heart void of connection, weighted with the oppressive venom of grief and bitterness. Yes. Even she desired a people to call her own. Yet the months since she had fled from home there had been no real chances given. Not that the Anglo-Arab mutt made it simple.

Weary of strangers Qeren had chosen to avoid most. Danger felt like it lurked all around. There had been brutes along the way. But thus far she had remained fortunate as to not befall any great harm or misfortune beyond that of what had driven her from everything intimate to memory. Avoiding a questionable group had lead to her being funnelled through the mountains into yet another new land. Helovia.

Aside from the unrelenting chill felt from the long travel, the area was a beautiful eden to behold. It seemed natural to assume there would be herds in the area. And once the sound of another couldn’t be denied, Qeren’s muscles became tense. Unsure if flight of fight may be needed. Emerald and cerulean orbits set wearily in the direction of approach.

The mare that appeared was one whom looked similar in build to many from the land she hailed from. The slight Arab features. Such as Qeren boasted herself. While taller at sixteen two. Qeren had a narrower build, athletic. Far from the Percheron blood that had also run through her veins. Missmatched orbs flickered for a moment to the leviathan to the mare it apparently took to hiding behind.

The greeting and presented question baited the usual sarcasm of the mare. It was, after all, what she so often fell into when she was tired and weary. And she was weighted with each. Until she was confident of what place she’d ventured into… And what kind of inhabitant she was interacting with… Qeren would make effort to bite back sarcastic words. "Hello…" came the cautious tone, muscles still tensed in preparation of a quick reaction that may be needed. "I’ve only just arrived." orbs carefully appraised the other mare. While no aggressive stance was presented, Qeren still kept her guard up, "Was I trespassing?

Better to attempt to present a request to pass through a herds land if she was happened upon. Though she was rather ready to rest and find a place to settle. This business of traveling had grown exhausting.

NOTE || It was a wonderful post <3 I'm so rusty. So hopefully this post is okay :)

"speech here" thought here

@Tiamat

Going ahead and saying she'll be rated M as she doth not have the mouth of a lady.... #swearfest

Tiamat the Ocean's Light Posts: 360
Aurora Basin Lady atk: 8 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: 6 years HP: 60 | Buff: NOVICE
Nimue :: Common Orca Leviathan :: Boil Reli
#4
tiamat
The cautiousness by which the taller stranger addresses Tiamat is not something that comes unexpectedly. It is not unusual for a person to approach someone completely unfamiliar with some level of wariness—especially in an entirely new world. Of course, the ocean mare can only remember being blissfully happy when she had stumbled into Helovia’s Threshold, but then again, there are a lot of things (darker, more realistic things) that are kept at bay in her little bubble world. In any case, she intends to do the same for this mare what Lena had done for her.

Quirking her head innocently to the side, the blue maiden slants an ear forward while the brown stranger speaks. At her inquiry, Tiamat shakes her head, causing the shells in her hair to tinkle against one another. “Oh no! Not at all,” white eyes sparkle as she reassures her newfound company, the tone of her voice almost (gently) emphatic in her encouragement. “This isn’t anyone’s territory, really—I guess you could call it ‘no man’s land’,” a chime of laughter breathes softly from her velvet lips. Of course, the sapphire mare hardly understands the intricacies and rules of herd borders herself; obviously there must be some sort of balance in the world, but why must they divide each other so? These are things she respectfully trusts to her leaders.

“This is the Threshold; Helovia’s entrance, you might say. Have you been travelling long?” Tiamat continues, a smile lingering gently in her expression. It wouldn’t be uncommon for anyone to have crossed hundreds—maybe even thousands—of miles before reaching Helovia (and, hopefully, a place they can finally rest and call home).

Caught for a moment in her musings, the ocean maiden shakes her head, tucking in her chin bashfully. “Forgive me,” she says with modest laughter lacing her voice, realizing her manners, “my name is Tiamat, and this is my companion, Nimue. We’re from the Aurora Basin—one of Helovia’s four herd lands.” Briefly she gestures to the young whale at her hip. Nimue, upon being mentioned, peeks her head out a little further, her blue eyes curious, before darting back into the safety of her bonded’s warmth. Tiamat smiles tenderly, brushing her lion tail against the Leviathan while her eyes rest on the other mare.


notes; Ah so sorry for taking so long! <33
“Speech.”
For her,
the ocean was more than a dream
it was a place she
needed.

image credits
  @Qeren
please tag Tia in all replies!
magic & force are permitted.

Qeren Posts: 9
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 16.2 :: 4
AlyGator
#5
Trust was not something that was easily felt when it came to the young mare. There had been to few friends in her life. Not enough supporters standing behind her. It had often felt that at the end of the day, the only one whom had ever fully had her back was her mother. Was her mother. Driven far from home after someone had made an attempt on her life - well. It didn't exactly make her feel any more inclined to trust a stranger.

Perhaps if the elegant dappled creature had the ability to look into the mind of the bluish mare whom had come to greet her, she would be at peace. Honestly if it had been so simple she would have gladly found reason to let herself relax. This business of looking after herself without a friend in the world was getting to her.

It seemed there might be a strangeness - maybe innocents to Tiamat. Perhaps it was the queer but delightful green collected in her mane and tail. Or the shells. But even though the body language of this cloven hooved mare was non threatening... Qeren couldn't bring herself to just relax. She only took her eyes off the other for a moment to peer out through the forest around her.

"Helovia..." came the word. One spoken if anything more for herself - testing to see how the words tasted on her lips. The inquiry into the length of her travels was met with an exhausted gaze. If that look hadn't sufficed in expressing the answer her words did. "Feels like it's been a lifetime," A steely hoof pawed at the thawing remnants of snow, "This is stuff and the chill didn't make it any more pleasant"

Once more at the creatures mention, Qeren looked to the leviathan. It was a strange creature. One she had never seen back in the sands she hailed from. There was another moment of hesitation before she spoke once more. "I am Qeren... I am of no herd or family of deserved mention."

NOTE || And sorry for the wait from me! Kept just getting to busy this week T-T - really sorry this post is terrible D:

"speech here" thought here

@Tiamat

Going ahead and saying she'll be rated M as she doth not have the mouth of a lady.... #swearfest

Tiamat the Ocean's Light Posts: 360
Aurora Basin Lady atk: 8 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: 6 years HP: 60 | Buff: NOVICE
Nimue :: Common Orca Leviathan :: Boil Reli
#6
tiamat
As their conversation gradually progresses, the taller mare doesn’t seem to relax much from the stiffness and caution that is evident in her tense posture. Tiamat’s eyes are soft as they appraise the stranger silently, hoping that she isn’t doing anything herself to cause the other mare any unnecessary discomfort. She holds her head a few degrees lower than usual, with her eyes large as she glances up from beneath her lashes, the length of her lion tail resting casually across the frozen ground. Even her hips dip sharply as she rests a hind leg, fluted ears perking forward innocently as she listens to the other’s answer.

She can’t help but shake her head a little bit while a knowing smile quirks across her lips. Hailing from the northern mountains, Tiamat is well familiar with winter’s chill. Fortunately, however, she hasn’t had to suffer any great deal—the Basin keeps fires going and warm caves open, eager to relieve the worst of Frostfall’s cold bite. The ocean mare—with her satin skin and hot-blooded ancestry—can’t imagine having to weather such elements with absolutely nothing for protection. “Travelling can, indeed, wear on you in more ways than one,” with a modest eye, she makes sure that there are no obvious injuries on the bay mare. Being a healer, Tiamat is ever eager to offer aid.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Qeren,” the blue maiden inclines her curved horn in a friendly gesture. With Qeren’s brief explanation of her situation, Tiamat’s heart goes out to her. The tall mare seems to be alone—lost, perhaps—and the ocean mare cannot stand idly by and watch while another suffers so. This is why she has come to the Treshold, is it not? To offer help, rest, safety, and warmth to those who stumble into this unfamiliar world?

Pressing her sapphire lips into a tender and genuine smile, the young Mender extends her muzzle towards Qeren. It is a slow motion, so as not to startle her, but Tiamat hopes that she will accept its kindness. “I can offer you a herd, if you would like,” she speaks softly at first, white eyes shining beneath the sun’s light. “You’re welcome to make the Basin your home, or rest there while you regain your strength. It’s a beautiful place,” she withdraws as she speaks, closing her eyes in blissful happiness. She adores her home, and would love for it to offer Qeren what it has given her. “I’d be happy to show you the way?” Tiamat tilts her head gently, waiting for the larger mare’s acceptance before they being their journey together.

“Speech.”
For her,
the ocean was more than a dream
it was a place she
needed.

image credits
@Qeren
please tag Tia in all replies!
magic & force are permitted.

Qeren Posts: 9
Outcast
Mare :: Unicorn :: 16.2 :: 4
AlyGator
#7
Even if it seemed like a fevered dream, Qeren could not deny the fact she had indeed pondered the idea of having a home. A place to call safe. A people to call hers. But something in her heart truly did desire. She desired it. But she did her best not to expect it. Not ever. Trying to take what had seemed like a safer root had jut been that.

Another direction to wander aimlessly without any others to stand by her side. It hadn't been a direction taken with the idea that maybe, just maybe, a herd - a people - would be extended to her. Miss matched eyes simply looked to keep herself out of trouble. Talking to a stranger she of course - did not expect any extensions for a possibility of home. No matter how kindly she came off.


"Honestly, I'm shocked my hooves haven't worn off by now." came a sarcastic toned response. It wasn't necessarily meant to sound rude. But it was what she resorted to naturally. It was... just how she spoke most times. No doubt her feet ached. The damp hadn't helped. She'd been doing her best to take breaks long enough to attempt to dry out her damp feet as to not get the rot she'd heard of. Not something that really presented as issue in the parched land she had come from.


"Well. So far it hasn't been terrible meeting you", came the reply, sarcasm again. But a more - relaxed feel to it. A perk of amusement.

Still the mare watched the other. Orbs flitting between the Leviathan and the Blue dame. The muscles tensed at the movement. But with a little more ease - and the expected hint of caution - Qeren reached out her own muzzle. Nostrils slightly flared as she did so.

The question at first was met with the slow blinking. Genuinely seeming caught off guard by the question. A thousand thought flitting through the mares dished skull. Hesitant still, but weary of travel... And perhaps a dash of the wish she called childish to find a home... she answered once more. "A - A place to rest would be grand..." she seemed to gain her own wits again,
" That - at least for the moment - seems to be a divine idea"... possibly a good place to rest. Even for a bit. Perhaps she would like the others... Perhaps.... Qeren cut off her thought as for the first time the corners of her lips quirked awkwardly in a slight smile.

"speech here" thought here

Going ahead and saying she'll be rated M as she doth not have the mouth of a lady.... #swearfest

Tiamat the Ocean's Light Posts: 360
Aurora Basin Lady atk: 8 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: 6 years HP: 60 | Buff: NOVICE
Nimue :: Common Orca Leviathan :: Boil Reli
#8
tiamat
“Well. So far it hasn't been terrible meeting you.”

The mare’s dainty ears flick forward at the comment, and detecting both the hint of sarcasm and humor in Qeren’s voice, she can’t help but smile in response. She tucks her head in towards her chest and laughs softly to herself, her eyes shining with a similar merriment when she looks up again to meet the other mare’s gaze. “Thank you,” Tiamat accepts the strange compliment with a smile as honest as any other. As far as she can tell, Qeren seems to be relaxing—even slightly—since their conversation started, and that is all that she could have hoped for.

Patiently she waits for the taller mare to continue, shifting her weight a little and curling her lion tail so that it brushes against Nimue’s soft side. Tiamat is not bothered by Qeren’s initial lack of response to her offer. Although it is not the ideal reaction that she would have wanted (an expectation much different in her own happy little world), Tiamat is still more than honored to give the stranger a chance. She waits with baited breath, trying not too seem to eager in her desire to give this woman all that the Basin has given her. Her eyes are cast downward, eyeing the other through her lashes until the silence breaks between them.

When it does, the ocean maiden cannot conceal the broad grin that widens across her lips. “I’m so happy to hear that! It will be good for your body to have the chance to recuperate,” Tiamat nods a few times to herself, trying to not get carried away in the joy that bubbles up in her chest. Her horned head rises and her tail flicks in excitement. Tasting the air, the blue maiden shifts the angle of her body, leaning her weight forward in the direction of the northern mountains. “Shall we be on our way?” The Mender gestures for Qeren to follow, leading them both towards home.


notes; I'll get a thread up in the Basin asap! :D
“Speech.”
For her,
the ocean was more than a dream
it was a place she
needed.

image credits
@Qeren
please tag Tia in all replies!
magic & force are permitted.


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