Last breath of a survivor

the Rift

[DROP] Last breath of a survivor

Rasta Posts: 305

Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3

Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE

Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba

#19

09-09-2013, 11:39 PM

give me your eyes for just one second,
give me your eyes so i can see
everything that i keep missing

So many more had arrived. Her surroundings were slowly beginning to become hazy as her mind fought to outline each of the souls from their vibrations. Each of their forms beginning to meld a little with the earth, even with the trees they seemed to be standing next too. It was taking all of her concentration to attempt to pull the image of this doe-like creature out clearly before her. Muscles were tensed a little, as well, not enjoying the massive presence of other equines. Safety was always underlying her actions - safety and the protection of those which she could offer her aid too. She had been a leader once, the idea of taking others under her wing did not ever go away after having doing so for so long.

But, leader no more. And she was reminded of that as the creature spoke. Her voice was slow, deep, broken. Even wheezing. It was obvious the fae was not going to last too much longer. Granting the child as a companion? Did Rasta really wish to have her red-tailed hawk replaced? She wished for her winged glory to return, so dearly. It was tearing her apart each day - feeling that empty hole in her soul as she continued to attempt to push forward in these new lands, trying to remind herself that she was safer than she had been in her old home. Trying to forget that she had needed to leave her family behind to be safe. Trying to cling onto the little bits and pieces of her old companion. But, no. He was gone. She would no longer be able to bicker with that hawk who had so clearly been connected to her life source in a way nothing else possibly could. Companion granted as a gift, or not, she still could not allow the doe to leave her child in less-than capable hands, be it Rasta's own or one of the other equines who had meandered into this clearing as well. She only knew Soh, and really, by this point, she would be joyous if that mare so happened to grasp onto something that would always be there for her - as her hawk had been for Rasta.

Gather. Items to make a nest? A safe haven, warm but cool, protected from the elements. Nest. That simple word tore at Rasta's soul. Her frame trembling instantly as she closed her eyes, frozen in the spot for a moment. The glowing marking on her haunches shining a little brighter for a few moments as she fought through her emotions, begging for her hawk to somehow come back to her - to guide her in these moments. That hawk had, really, only been an extension of her soul. An extension that had broken off and left part of her damaged - a part of her she dared not show to anyone, as she still believed herself to need to look as though nothing was bothering her at all times. Taking in a deep breath, she felt one tear trail down her cheek as she remembered her hawk flying above her, complaining about not having a nest. And then, she set off to work.

Another deep breath, focusing on the surroundings. A tree over from where the doe was there was some ditch - a deeper one, but not too deep that someone would fall in it. Cautiously - so as to not bump into the other creatures that were mere blurs in her mind - she edged closer to the tree, standing right at the lip of the ditch and stepping in it to see just how far down it went. Up to her knee. Not necessarily too deep. But, it would require some kind of padding. Leaves. Twigs. Grass. Why can't I just build a nest, Rasta? It's not like we aren't staying in about the same place anyways? The mocking voice of her old hawk slid into her mind as the memory replayed itself. Leaves. Twigs. Grass. That was all that was needed to build a regular nest. Perhaps she could use those same things in order to build her own.

Reaching up to attempt to snag some branches she realized she could only grab one on all fours. She let out a small huff before rocking back on her haunches and only standing on her hind legs. She was just tall enough to reach one of the larger branches. And so, snagging on it with her jowls she yanked it down and to the ground with a sickening crack. One that caused her to jump back, her nerves taking over. Too many vibrations being sent around. It was definitely beginning to get confusing. Deep breath. One. Two. Good. She snagged the top portion of the larger branch, which was about the length of her body, and then placed both of her front feet onto the middle of it- snapping off a smaller piece. And, then she repeated the process until she had quite a few to cover the hole, without having it fall in.

But, there were not enough leaves, and she could not reach anymore branches. Turning a little so that her haunches were lined up with the tree she kicked out, slamming her back hooves into the tree bark to dislocate the leaves. They fell down slowly, painfully slow. And it took a couple more kicks to jar enough free to begin to pile them at the bottom of the hole, acting as a cushion for the egg to rest upon. Once satisfied that it was cushioned with enough leaves she began to pick out grass, starting to place that delicately around the edges of the hole, to pad the sides of it.

Almost done. Would her hawk be proud? She did not know. But she desperately wished for his eyes at the moment. How she wished for his sight - to tell her if it was looking absolutely horrendous or not. Placing the branches so that they crossed and hid the top of the hole while allowing air in she took one last look. A rock. She needed something to protect the front. After all, most didn't come near the trunks of the trees, it was too dangerous if they were bolting through the forest. But, the rock would definitely serve to protect the edge of it. So, she attempted to concentrate again, feeling all of the moving forms as they rushed around for material after material to build the nest as it was required. And, it took a few tries, but finally she found a couple of rocks that, when placed next to each other, were about the width of the opening to the tree. Carefully, she inched toward them before beginning to push them the ten feet or so back toward the hole. And, once satisfied with their placement she peered over toward the doe, taking in a deep breath.

"I understand that this really isn't too much more than a hole, ma'am, but I have added a few things. It is near the base of the tree, in the corner between two of the huge roots, to keep travelers from accidentally stumbling across it while they run from the darkness or any other threats which their minds have perceived. At the bottom of the hole is a bunch of leaves, to act as a soft cushion for the egg itself, and the walls are rimmed with grass, in case the egg rocks a little to the side and falls against the wall. On top of the whole are branches that simply look as though they have fallen from the tree itself, but they are covering the hole with it's leaves so as to help keep the weather out - much like the canopy above will do - while allowing the air to circulate through the hole. And, before it, rests two rocks so, again, no one can accidentally step into the hole. Then, if you would allow me to, I would use the bundle as an extra layer of protection from the weather on top of the hole. But, I understand completely if you feel the egg would be in safer hands with someone else who is also very capable in this group that has appeared..." She explained, her voice soft and quiet. Companion to replace the one she had lost...

Could anything ever replace her hawk? She was doubting it. But, she would not allow this orb to die just because no one could figure out a good way to protect the creature whose gift of life was the fae's dying wish...

1459 words