@Tembovu permission to pp his presence
[PRIVATE] In the light of day
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08-28-2016, 08:05 AM
@Tembovu permission to pp his presence
Tembovu the Elephant King
Thick legs of ebony and ivory carry the man away from the Aurora Basin, decidedly slower than his mad race to his children and Rexanna. Though the unease for Rexanna and the twins’ safety had settled, a new apprehension replaced it: how would he be present in the twin’s lives? How would he be their father, not just their sire? His ears tilted back, trying to wrestle the painful hope that Rexanna would bring herself and their children to the Edge when he returned for the festivities she spoke of. She had never returned with him before; and the single time she had attempted to come to the Edge, Orithia had run her off—his foals in her womb.What would he do with the rose-blushed mare? She was fiercely loyal, as much as she was fiercely his. A sigh pushed out his nostrils as he plodded southward, legs crossing over the vast expanse of permafrost and tundra. The dry, high meadows were awash with dry grasses; it reminded him of the Dorobian plains. Except these were cold, even in the day’s ‘heat.’ How differently life would have taken him if he had followed Rexanna to the Basin that fateful day he had crossed the Threshold… But his introspective thoughts were shattered by a rapidly plummeting white, winged form. It dove from the sky; faster and faster; a pearlescent streak amid the blue-hot heavens. His strides drew shorter, brows raising first in surprise and then in concern—was this thing (a pegasus?) destined to crash into the earth? But, at the last moment, the figure drew up, floating around him with surprising grace. “Erthe?” His thick, black-splashed skin twitched at the whisper-soft tickles of her satin, white feathers against his side. When had her wings become so long; so graceful? When had the awkwardness of yearling-dom begun to leave her legs and flanks? It still clung there slightly, but Erthe was definitely closer to mare than filly, now. Cobalt eyes sharpened, rising out of his self-imposed gloom, to truly see the little filly (despite his realizations, she would forever be his little, brazen filly). His head followed her as she landed alongside him, with surprising grace that he had not yet learned to expect from his small friend. “You’ve taken well to flying, it seems,” a shadow of a lopsided grin crossed over his face as his warm compliment fell between them. He was happy to see her flying rather than hobbling. It seemed more… freeing. Though his grin faded as her question sank in, his navy eyes glancing away from the dazzling white of her coat. In the presence of her cheerful playfulness, he was tempted to brush aside her question with a noncommittal answer. But the Elephant was too tired, too emotionally raw, from his race to the Basin and subsequent meeting of Rexanna and their children, to form an half-truths in answer to her question. So, instead, the Elephant quietly replied, “I went to visit my children, in the Basin.” And then, amid his exhaustion, the King fell both still and silent, eyes on the dry earth and struggling plants. @Erthë!
09-13-2016, 06:07 AM
@Tembovu
Tembovu the Elephant King
The King, noting her hobbling gait that struggled to keep her shorter and crooked legs abreast with him, gradually slowed his sweeping columns of legs; while Erthe was a graceful daredevil in the skies, the earth still rendered her burdened by her old injuries. A few lines creased around the King’s dark, navy eyes as the nagging feeling of failing the filly (unable to find a healer to fix her delicate limbs after the Rift God battle) wormed through his chest and mind.But it didn’t seem to hinder her spirits in the slightest, an easy laugh answering his observations. She spoke of the sky; of the feeling of flying, a sensation that the Elephant was forever curious about. Though he knew his massive body was not one that would ever feel the heaven’s embrace. No, his embrace was that of land, battle, and those he loved. Ones that were so far away, in the cold north— His thoughts were broken into by the frigid, but delicately velvet touch of Erthe’s slender muzzle against his shoulder. His skin instinctively shivered once against the cold, though his thick hide quickly settled and he leaned slightly into the filly’s instinctive, compassionate gesture. Though it did not entirely surprise the King, he found some small measure of proud revelation that this was the sort of mare Erthe was growing into. The worried concern of her voice, though it did not relief the exhausted sorrow of the King, did place some sort of light beneath the weight he carried. “My children are fine, Erthe,” his deep voice rumbled, gait slowing even more, “But they, and their mother, are remaining in the Basin— away from me.” His answer was not direct, but the melancholy in his voice implied that this was what was wrong: the distance. He sighed softly, ears swiveling as he tried to listen the tundra around them—trying to turn his attention outwards, rather than in on his troubled thoughts. “What brings my little filly so far from the Edge? Is it for your studies with Alune?” His question, though abruptly changing the subject, was said with true curiosity edging his exhaustion. @Erthë!
10-16-2016, 03:01 PM
@Tembovu
Tembovu the Elephant King
The Elephant’s thoughts, as troubled as they were, became more prone to picking out misfortune’s irregularities. Thus, his navy gaze was drawn to her hobbling and limping, especially as she pressed her small, cold body against his large, hot one and he could feel her gimpy gait. His thick lips pressed together as he slowly halted, looking at the The King sighed slightly, looking down into her mismatched eyes. “I didn’t know you had friends in the Falls—though I should know you make friends wherever you go,” he grinned slightly at her, “And yes, smoke has risen over the Falls all Tallsun, but there is plenty of water, there.” The King’s comforting rumble slowed to a stop as she caught his eyes and offered him a small smile. And then his own grin faded at her question of what the Basin was like—and if there were flowers. He blinked and looked away, lips pursing slightly, as he tried to recall anything about the Basin other than Rexanna, Kiada, and Kianzo. And then he shook his massive skull slightly, “I was distracted by other things, and did not notice flowers; or much else.” His answer was dull, and quiet. So, again, he turned his attention outward, gaze sweeping to her crooked forelegs, before gently asking, “How do you fare with your legs?” HIs massive horn gestured towards them. There was no pity in his eyes, just sadness (left over from leaving the Basin alone) and heartfelt concern. He knew her wings must help, but a horse must walk at some point. (At least, an unwinged, Dorobian stallion would think so.) @Erthë!
10-23-2016, 06:09 PM
@Tembovu
Tembovu the Elephant King
His black-rimmed ears tilted forward as they rested in a standstill, listening to her answer. His head cocked subtly, the Sun God had denied the pleas to heal a filly’s legs? Black skin around his eyes creased slightly in consternation—the time he had battled alongside the Sun God on the Flats, he had seemed like a god that the Elephant could support. Just, bright, warrior-esque… Yet here he was, King beneath the Moon. But, still, it perplexed the stallion that any god would deny a filly healing of her limbs. His mind turned fully to the Moon Goddess, and how she had shown a sweetness to the little, bright-eyes Erthe at the meeting. And how the young filly had been enraptured by the lavender Goddess. And so he asked her, “Have you asked the Moon?” But he let the issue drop, not pursuing her healing any further, at the proud smile that she threw his way. It was, in fact, impressive that Erthe could retain her good spirits and buoyant attitude despite her nearly crippling injuries. She was right to be pleased with her accomplishment. And so he returned her smile, though his was still sad and didn’t entirely reach his navy eyes. Though he shook his head slightly at her request for him to not ’worry about it.’ A rueful, lopsided grin spread full across his muzzle as he answered, “I care about you as my own children, Erthe. I will forever worry.” He was about to let the matter rest, but something she had said roused his curiosity, “You have your ’ways’?” His gaze probed her two-toned eyes questioningly. Though he wasn’t certain that the young mare wanted to talk about this, he was no part ungrateful for having something other than his children and mate in the Basin to think about. @Erthe
@Tembovu
Tembovu the Elephant King
Navy eyes stared into her two-toned eyes that widened in amazement in response to his question. Amusement flickered through his own gaze, conquering (for a moment) the melancholy that lingered there. He remained silent as she verbally worked out her reasoning for not yet asking the Moon to heal her legs, his dark brows raising as she lumped all the gods together. He had not been in Helovia for as long as Erthe had been alive, and his little experience with the gods (limited to the Rift battles, truthfully) told him how different the divine siblings were. A warm, half-chuckle rumbled from deep in his chest as she proclaimed him to be a ‘genius’. “If only I was, little Erthe,” he slipped and called her as if she were still a young filly, “Then I would be returning to the Edge with my family.” His voice dipped quietly, sadness returning. He shook his heavy skull slightly, focusing on her answer to his question about her ‘ways’. And his dark brows rose as she began to describe the plant she used to numb her pain. But the plant she spoke of was powerful, numbing the mind as well as the body—so much so that it was one of the few things that impressed on the King’s mind from Tilney’s many teachings. So, carefully, he asked the pearlescent filly, “How often, and how much, do you use this herb?” His head cocked, studying her as they stood on the frozen Steppe, brisk winds intermittently whipping around their mismatched bodies: one large, hulking elephant filled with fire and one small, dainty snowflake with ice for skin. Concern began to rear it head in his mind, while some semblances of anger stirred in his chest. How had Erthe known to use this herb? And did she know how to appropriately use it? There were some old Dorobian warriors in his tribe on the plains—one in particular, his dam’s sire, had been mauled by a pack of hyenas while he was protecting a foal that had wandered outside the tribe’s boundaries. Their bone-crushing jaws had crunched all but one his limbs in varying degrees of severity. That warrior had begun eating iboga, a Plains plant with similar properties to the one Erthe was using, and eventually his mother had found him, dead while surrounded by a trove of it. So his eyes carefully watched her as he waited for an answer. @Erthë!
10-26-2016, 08:13 AM
He just couldn't keep away from the subject, could he? The man reminded her of a colt with his first loose milk-tooth, constantly prodding it with his tongue to see if it still hurt. Gazing absently at the stallion Erthë thought she could see several ways to solve his problem, but for once the girl kept quiet about them. This was Tembovu - he was a very intelligent man, a capable as a leader and one of the kindest people she'd ever had the pleasure to call friend. If she could think of those options then he likely already had, which meant that he wouldn't act upon them no matter what she said. A flicker of anger sparked within herself as she thought of the mare that brought her Tembu into such a state. What kind of selfish bitch placed themselves before their mate? If she loved him enough to let him bed her, surely she ought to want to be together too. Wasn't that what the whole thing was about? Love, stay together, from a family, make a herd... bring others into the bond and eventually the foals would also find love, and stay together, build new families and so the herd would grow and evolve and... She sighed. Why did it have to be so complicated? Why did blue eyes have to become dulled with sadness and worry? Why, oh why couldn't Tembovu just... give up and move on to someone who deserved him better, someone who wouldn't let him down? "Oh, not much..." she said, gaze trailing off again as she tucked the wings closer to her sides. "Only when I really need to..." It was dawning on her that she may have said too much. His questions were becoming a bit too specific, and the girl knew instinctively that it wouldn't be good if he was brought in on the whole picture. It really wasn't a problem, not one she couldn't handle at least... and besides, if she were to go to the Moon soon to ask for aid, then there wouldn't be a need for the poppies at all! She would be able to run and skip and jump and dance to her hearts content, no longer tied down by pain or crooked joints, unrestrained by the sympathy and pity of others... She would be free. Smiling at the wonderful prospect the girl started forward again, as always biting back the desire to wince whenever she put weight on the shattered bone. The mask she donned was well-rehearsed, so much so that it had become second nature, put on without a second thought to whether it was wise, or prudent... or cruel to those who cared about her. Big girls cry when their hearts are breaking @Tembovu
Tembovu the Elephant King
Tembovu’s navy gaze, already sharply trained on the the pearlescent filly, caught the tight tuck of her wings into her sides as she answered his question. Or, perhaps, avoided answering him by giving vague non-answers. And, he noted the loss of her gaze as she spoke—causing his own eyes to crease. Then off she started to walk, dismissing this conversation before it even began. “Erthe,” his rumble was low, deep, and (for the first time with the “How often do you take it, Erthe?” He repeated his question again, trying to take the edge out of his voice and softening it to a request. But it was not a request—for his mind was replaying the stricken look in his mother’s grey eyes. Kajifu, the ‘stern grey’, had lost the strength in her eyes that day. He had been but a colt, but perhaps that made him all the more perceptive of his dam’s eyes. They had been the harbingers of reward or punishment, so he had learned to read them well. Concern laced through his demanding features—revealing the truth beneath his insistence. He did not wish to find the young mare’s body still, lifeless, and matching the death-cold skin she already bore. Nor did he wish to be told of anyone finding her drowned in the milky white sap that promised more euphoria than the body could take—and so it expired in the highs. So he waited, silent and still, for her answer. @Erthë!
10-26-2016, 08:58 PM
"Erthë." The tone of his voice brought her to an abrupt halt, shocked by the way he said her name. She had heard it before of course, when he spoke to the herd and when he issued orders, and just recently when they dealt with the Bramble. But never, never had the king commanded her before, and the girl had no idea how to respond. The initial reaction was to shrug it off as a joke. What, was he playing games with her? What did he mean by ordering her around like that, who did he think he was? As close as they were - and how close was that, really? - he was not actually her parent and no words of obligation or supplication had ever been exchanged. But then there was that fact that she was a member of the herd. His herd, as he was the King. And shouldn't the monarch have the right to know about the health of his subjects? She wasn't ranked though. Did it matter? They were friends, right? Almost family. No they were family! So she should tell him. But... "I..." The words caught in her throat, lodged on the back of the tongue. As immovable as any mountain. Erthë opened her mouth but no sound came out, and the turmoil of emotion in her chest smarted almost as bad as her leg. There was a tremble to her knees, so faint it wasn't visible but she could feel it, the tremble and the slight throb behind her eyes. They were signs she knew well, a warning that he effects of the drug was wearing off. She really ought to hurry home, ought to seek out the secret spot in her clearing and... But Tembovu was standing behind her, and his eyes on her was like needles piercing her skin. Sharp and heavy, she imagined a crease of anger on his brow and a backward tilt to the ears that must shurely be there. And if she told him? Would it not deepen into shock, into horror and then... contempt. Because it was a cowardly way to handle the pain, wasn't it? Instead of sucking it up and taking the throw her actions had dealt her, she was relying on herbs and acting as though she had something to be proud of. Like she wasn't guilty, as though it wasn't really her fault she was damaged and alone, and... No! No. She didn't want to see that kind of expression on his face. Not his face, already so burdened by his own troubles and the weight of the crown. Erthë wouldn't place her own stone on that load, what point was there in weighing down others with her problems? "I said it's fine" she replied, but there was a note of impatience within the soft voice now, one she regretted as soon as it slid from her lips. She drew breath to apologize, to add something else, to explain... but there was really nothing else she could say, so without looking at Tembovu, without glancing back she started forward again. Hoping he would give up. Wishing he would catch up, change the topic, turn this voyage into a pleasant time. Anything. Big girls cry when their hearts are breaking @Tembovu
Tembovu the Elephant King
Her small body jerked to a halt in response to his commanding call—and silence stretched for a short (but also infinitely long) moment. His black-rimmed ears strained forward, navy eyes creased as he watched her, waiting for an answer to his question— “I…”But there was nothing to chase that “I…” There was no explanation, no whispered words—just a choked off voice and more silence. She was too far away from him to see the turmoil crease her dainty face, or cloud her bi-colored eyes. But the way her usually pert voice suddenly became silent rose alarm in the King. The silence was heavy, filled with an explanation that she did not want to give and he did not want to hear… but an explanation that needed to be heard, lest its poison continue to bleed and stain more facets of Erthe’s life. And then, she ended the weighty silence with a simple “I said it's fine.” But there was a tone in her voice, a tone that she had never used with the Elephant King before—just as he had never commanded her before. It was a day of firsts for the pseudo-father and pseudo-daughter. A long and hard sigh pushed out his nostrils, disappointment flashing through his eyes (again, for the first time) at the snowy hybrid mare. “Is it?” Though his question was simple, the deep roll was dark, hard, and sad. His jaw clenched slightly as his chest tightened—his son had died too young to have been able to lie to him. So enduring the lies of one’s child was not, yet, an experience the King had—until now. His thick lips pursed tightly, his body still not moving despite Erthe starting forward again. In the face of her terse dismissal of his questions, he had nothing more to say to the woman he saw as a daughter. His ears tilted back, navy eyes watching her retreating pearlescent body. Part of him simmered with anger—why did she not answer him? Part of him despaired—how was he to be a father if one daughter lied to him and his other children did not even live with him? Waves of gloom enveloped his tight chest as he stood still, waiting to see if @Erthë this was a strange Tembo post... and kind of out of character for him :/
11-01-2016, 06:53 PM
@Tembovu - idk man.
Tembovu the Elephant King
“Yes!”Her outburst was fast, almost reflexive—too quick to be a truth. The King’s black-rimmed ears, which had twitched forward to hear her response, pinned tighter against his neck. Navy eyes grew even darker, black skin creasing around them as he stared for a moment longer at the now-halted, slender white woman. Then his gaze moved past her, staring at the cold, ice-covered, level horizon that would take them both back to the Edge, to home. A home filled with empty promises and abundant grief. And then the Elephant began to turn away, planning to take a circuitous route—he didn’t truly need the time alone with his thoughts. But he needed to be around the lies of another he deeply cared for even less—“No…” Her quiet whisper would have been lost, if not for a fortuitous and cold breeze that strung and flitted the quiet word along, straight into the stallion’s backward tilted ears. His steps halted, shoulders frozen, as his ears swiveled towards her, followed by his head and questioning (partly relieved) gaze. He found her defeated, brave and youthful facade cracked as her head hung low to the permafrost earth. There was no relaxation in her laxity; rather, her strength was stolen, instead of relinquished, by whatever demons dared to prey on adolescence. Thick lips, once tilted down, now pressed into a firm and straight line as he watched her. He did not triumph in her concession—but he was solaced by the truth that now peppered her words and body. Despite the uncertain anxiety and confusion, the Elephant found this candor vastly preferable to her hard, bright veneer that shone on her pearlescent features moment before. His long limbs carried him towards his small daughter, great head dropping to be level with hers as he approached. Navy eyes sought hers as the snow crunched loudly beneath his hooves in the silence that stretched between them—but this silence was not strained with his disappointment and anger. No, instead, it was a quiet acceptance that permeated the chilly air. “Alright, Erthë,” his low rumble sounded quietly, navy gaze not exactly warm, but trusting and… paternal, “I care about you as my own daughter, and I am here for you, when you do know.” His pale muzzle and dark lips reached out towards her cold, pink velvet muzzle—a gesture of comfort and security, before he slowly started (once again alongside her) back towards the Edge. @Erthë Since this thread is so old, we could wrap it up here and start a new, current thread? I'm sorry life ate me :[ <3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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