"Where brilliance is good and madness is better..."
Helovia Info
Helovia opened in February 2012! We are an active fantasy equine RPG
Where once the world narrowed into naught but gray dust and desolation, the gods called for life. Wielding the elements of fire and light, dark and wind, earth and water, spark and time, they have created Helovia. The realm is set within the mythical globe of Loorien, a planet rich with all variety of creatures and blessed with all manner of magic. Originally populated by nomadic, tribal characters, they've since grown into massive empires saturated with culture and history. Separated into four distinct segments of Helovia, called "The Regions," each band of horse strong enough and capable enough, took up the power and responsibility of leadership. Unicorns, old, wise and mysterious, took to the north, hidden in forests of mists and shadows and rarely making themselves known beyond their cliffs of the World's Edge. Equines, vast, organized and militaristic, split into two, one group went north to the Windtossed Foothills and the other group went south to the Dragon's Throat. Pegasus remained nomadic, making their homes in various parts of The Wilds in a migratory manner. For many generations, the land was peaceful and calm, but peace was never the way of the gods. With a clash of argument, war and bloodshed massacred Helovia, and in the aftermath, the realm was eerily quiet. Now, as newcomers sweep into this land, they are met with the lingering bitterness of the gods and the struggle to reclaim what was lost. Nothing remains safe or certain while sorcerers and soldiers alike brood and bide their time for revenge, honor and glory.
Site Wide Plots
Kaos :: The Beginning of the End ☼ - 6/2017 - Kaos placed Helovia in a time-bubble for a short period of time, but the Helovian gods are fighting back. But Kaos is powerful- far more powerful than anyone thought. This may be the beginning of the end of Helovia as we know it.
Kisamoa :: A New Kind of Kaos ☼ - 3/2017 - Kisamoa asks Helovians to help him restore the Spectral Marsh. Which side will you choose?
Invasions :: All Out War ☼ - 5/2/16 - New layout and the brand new invasion rules are up! Thank you for your patience and we look forward to getting started with this new adventure.
The Rift :: Gods Do Die ☼ - 8/2015 - Helovia Gods are saving the Rift from corrupt gods! Can Helovians band together against these foreign deities?
The Literal Ship ☼ - 2/8/15 - Oh no! You have to pair up for Valentine's day!
Sky Island :: Murder ☼ - 10/25/14 - Vesta has been found dead on the island, and the gods have called to you to solve the murder!
Sky Island :: Peace ☼ - 7/7/14 - An island has appeared in the sky! Clouds carry Helovians from the Veins to the sky.
Restoration :: We Welcome the Dawn ☼ - 9/21/13 - The sun has finally risen on this day, giving the land new light, but the Time God and the Sun God have yet to be seen.
Endless Night :: Broken Magic Plot ☼ - 8/30/13 - The earth god has returned and is walking across Helovia to heal the land. Every area can now be considered lush and prosperous, but the sun has still not risen.
☼ - 7/19/13 - The moon has risen in the sky, heralding the return of the Goddess of the moon. Lamp trees which light the paths have grown brighter, moon flowers which grow in dark places have begun to grow and prosper and the world is brighter, filled with a new hope.
Endless Night :: Dead Magic Plot ☼ - 6/22/13 - The gods of Helovia, in order to protect the world, have disappeared into the rift, leaving the world sunless, moonless and magic-less in their absence. Only the herdlands have a source of light, but lamp-trees with glowing leaves and branches sporadically line the popular roads and paths from place to place.
Doppleganger Plot ☼ - 6/20/13 - The God of Time is still struggling to close the rift though which the dopplegangers have come. He has requested that his brothers and sister assist in closing this hole, but without knowing why it opened, the task is proving difficult. Magic still remains faulty and hard to control, but the herdlands continue to be places of refuge for those who are fortunate enough to call these lands home.
ORANGEMOON cools off the lands with a a viscious force. Colder than normal, a sign of things to come during Frostfall, Helovia is bathed in a rich tropical lushness - albiet a cold one. The coastlines of the Dragon's Throat are pelted constantly by tidal waves, and the desert climate is humid but chilly. Ice begins to form early in the Aurora Basin leaving the winding trails slick and dangerous. The mists of the World's Edge coat everything in a glistening crystalline shine which encourages mould to grow everywhere. The Spectral Marsh is the only area which remains fertile, blissfully temperature and lush.
Cotm
Character of the Month for
June, 2017
WEAVER, Corporal of the Aurora Basin, is a relatively recent addition to Helovia and has taken it by storm. Branded with the seal of Death on her chest, intrigue and interest follow both her past and present. Though she is assuredly beautiful, her sometimes sharp personality reveals that there is more to this uni-peg hybrid than meets the eye. Proving herself able on the battlefield in the Basin’s warrior ranks, we can’t wait to see her test her mettle against the looming Kaos happenings! Congratulations!
Helovia RPG was created by Tamme and Blu and coded by Tamme also known as Schwartze. All coding, palettes and imagery are copyrighted to the website and are not for use outside of Helovia. Thank you to our ServerMaster for hosting Helovia. A special thanks goes to Neo for all of her coding help and fixing Tamme's errors, Boom, for her loyal service and creation of the Time God, and to Ali for her consistent contributions and dedication.
While she had mourned the loss of a fine queen to rule alongside her for nearly a season, dwelling on things that could not be changed, she had also been thinking, amidst the tumbling waves of her emotions. From the wreckage of Psyche’s leadership, the golden wench had collected what could be salvaged, the bits that held true in light of the death of her reign, and categorized what had ruptured into splinters. She was left with several facts; that she must remain stone, even while exploding inside.
She had failed that rule, at first, so overcome by her horror at the treachery that had come to pass. She would not fail it again.
She must never trust those around her, even if they have sworn to her boundlessly that they will honor her strength and title. She lives among thieves and murderers, power hungry demons with daggers clenched in their teeth; she has always known this. She is one of them.
And, lastly, a woman must have more friends than enemies. She was off to make friends, something her sister had done much too late.
It pained her, to think that she was off to do something that would so sour the relations between herself and the dark children of the Basin, but it would make their strength all the greater and would benefit more than it would cause trouble. Surely, it narrowed the Plague’s hunting grounds, kept her wolves on chains that would likely make them more aggressive in the future, but it was a calculative risk she was willing to make.
Besides, she had other plans for her nefarious kin. For now, she catered to those of her fold who were gentle, less likely to withstand the punishments sure to come to them for the… unkindly ways of the herd mates.
Hand selected, she makes the journey with two of her herd companions that she felt would be well suited to the task at hoof; sweet Lena, the newly promoted Time Mender, and promising Roland, a quiet man who usually kept to himself, but from Illynx’s experience, was of a kinder nature than his reclusive ways led on. The two had mostly been gathered for their lack of hatred, devoid of the black stains that have made their golden queen a name not to be trusted among even strangers; as far as she knew, neither had enemies. They would serve her well.
Arriving to the Foothills, she stares with amazement at the transformation that has overcome it, no longer a plain field bordered by forests but a lush and splendid place of rivers and trees, flowers and stone. That the pegasus known as Elsa had announced her homeland as a placed called the Hidden Falls now made much more sense to her, the mare smiling happily in the notion that she had learned something new while forcing herself to socialize with her inferiors.
At least she owed these ones something, one of them, if none of the rest; Circuta, the mare who had come to tell she and Deimos of a safe place, only moments before she had…
Even walking, she shudders, glancing to her companions as she stops along the borders, covering her shiver with words. "We’re here."
Turning towards where she assumes the leaders of the place will be, she raises the volume of her voice to a shout and summons into the nicely renovated herdland, hoping to bring the leaders within to discuss a certain social agreement or two. "Leaders of the Falls! We have come from the Aurora Basin, and wish to speak with you of friendship between our two herds!"
It almost makes her tongue curl back into her throat.
Almost.
@[Roland], @[Lena], @[Seele], @[Midas]
[ OOC: Roland and Lena first, please! :D I'd prefer only highly ranked members pop in for the sake of time and efficiency. <3 ]
Armistices and treaties, ceasefires and ends of wars – Lena dreamed of these notions amongst bramble and thorns, glaciers and caverns, wished it could last within the murky ages and the shadowed fixtures; another chance flickered and sparked before them. They followed a golden sword, disciples of the ice and snow, purposeful, adamant, determined and resolute, quiet whispers on the springtime wind. Like silk and water, the fairy and vixen moved through the chords of Birdsong bliss with curiosity, with stalwart fixtures, with minuet layers dancing along their coiled, rippled muscles. Given a task, she’d adhered to it quickly, efficiently, swiftly, like all other things and moments traipsed over her laurels and honeysuckle sprigs, she thought of adversity, of strength, of power, of dignity and nobility, attending the Lady down into the depths of the unknown. She’d never crossed over the lines of the foothills, wandered down into the prairies or traveled amongst the runes and ruins of these Hidden Falls (and with a bitter memory, she remembered she’d touched upon the Edge for a home, and then slaughter, the Throat to barter for a lost friend). She had, however, lent her honesty, her candor, in the depths of emissary lore, had attempted to orchestrate treaties and niceties before plucking the strands of mending and assuaging instead. But the notion, the picturesque beauty her imagination conjured as they tread across worn hoof prints and fine, airy copses, also provided her fancies and inspiration. Imogen bounded and rolled between their small, collected bounty, sometimes alongside the gilded Roland, to which Lena would smile and laugh at the minx’s attempts to swing one of her tails along his long columns, and other snippets batting at the long, wavering grasses summoned by the season. Carefree, whimsical tidings plaited over the lines of her motions before they arrived – and then, when they’d crossed into waterworks' borders, falls, fey delights, she drummed perfected composure, extended one smile towards Roland, perhaps to ease her own thoughts, and summoned the layers of her courage. The valor, the intrepid gaze, prospered another bout of spirits, intertwining into the fire of Illynx’s announcement and proclamation, a singsong hymn, a crooning decibels of light arias and strains. She hoped for calm bridges and warm hearts, she prayed for promises and creeds, benedictions and pledges; and not the cast-iron beat of treachery, upheavals, and maelstroms. They’d all seen enough of the latter.
The last of the northern lights had long since died out as they left the Basin, travelling under the shadow of rocky crags until blue sky stretched uninterrupted above their heads. They could not have picked a better day to venture south. Roland prospered beneath the vibrant sunlight, tilting his head to catch the swell of birdsong on the wind and leaning into the warm spring breeze as it twisted through his hair. He was happy. They had left behind the caves at last, and emerged from the darkness with spring hot on their heels, chasing away what was left of the snow and bringing the sun's full force along with it. It felt good to be working again, beyond the Basin's walls with two friends at his side.
They were not deprived of entertainment on their walk. Despite the alluring spread of greenery around them, Imogen had managed to grasp hold of Roland’s attention. His gaze followed her as she bounded through the underbrush and swept past his heels, pale fur catching the light of the sun. Though it was childish to do so, he danced playfully away whenever she neared, attempting, and occasionally succeeding, to flick her tails against his limbs before rushing off into the long grass. Her exuberance helped to distract him from his own uneasiness and self doubt. It had been a while since he’d engaged in such political endeavours, and as of late he had grown distanced from the part of himself that was at ease in the face of negotiation.
He was, at least, confident that they would have good luck dealing with the new leaders of the Hidden Falls. Or perhaps it was the sunlight that brought him hope, running like liquid over his golden hide. It was difficult to be nervous when he was so taken by the land around them. Wild flowers dotted the hillsides and grew in droves across their path, spreading a wave of vibrant colours over the grassy ridges. The dissonance of rushing water echoed off the bluffs and reached them, a mere hiss beneath the sound of Illynx's voice as she called out. Roland met Lena’s gaze as they slowed, returning an encouraging smile before the nonchalance fell from his posture, and the mask of an intermediary replaced the warmth in his eyes. It was a familiar song and dance; the rhythm of diplomacy was not unlike the cadence of war.
Push your luck if it makes you a promise that turns con men honest.
Patrol, something the silver knight did on a regular basis now. Making the rounds through the falls, dancing through the sky and observing the lands below from the heavens above, it was relaxing to watch the peaceful world bloom into spring. Golden pools showering across the lands, taking in its unique beauty and vast horizons, mingling upon its members that grazed upon the evening dew in solitude, ‘least they would never be alone. But upon the horizon at the edge of the lands appear three figures that were alien to him, one mare the stood out the most leading at her side two unicorn’s one black, and one autumn. Appraised to his duty, the silver knight folded in his wings and did an abrupt spin to turn into the direction of those who trespassed un-escorted.
Golden hooves, tucked to his chest as he neared a cliff to their right, water streaming over its tip into a beautiful waterfall. A voice, ladylike but demanding boomed into his ears as he came for a landing, hooves outstretched as massive feather plumes heave downwards, touching down with grace upon the mossy cliff, cool liquid rushing around his hooves as it cascaded down the other side. Aurora Basin? The knight thought to himself, not having heard that name before. The gold dusted unicorn spoke of friendship between herds. Sounded innocent enough, but he was a little puzzled to why three of them accompanied this Unicorn mare, only two lead a kingdom did they not?
Deciding to keep at bay, he would await Midas and Seele to appear from the shadows. Although he did not remain hidden, he stood tall and alert upon the cliff. Silken lobes faced and pinned upon their position, painted gold chest heaved as wings remained elevated up towards the heavens, in warning, a stand by motion should he need to by at his kings side in a moment’s notice, he would be. His coat danced with lightning, as his neck arched and throat rumbled of thunder in a cry of warning to those entering the lands of the King Midas. In a way, it was welcoming- but at the same time laced with a deadly note of Don’t make a mistake.
OOC: Hawkeye is just on guard. He wont being interacting with anyone, but he’s watching from afar so this will probably be the only post from him until this thread is through and he will fly away. So I won’t hold you back. Hope you don’t mind!!! If you do, I will gladly remove it. <3
“Sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences,
daydreams and misunderstandings,
more thrilling than understanding could ever be.”
The call was not to be ignored, it was dangerous and yet too terribly tempting to ignore. It drew to her power desire, her want for leadership, it was her time to shine and do what was best for her family. Not the sane ones that lingered either, they were nothing but black smudges breaking the code of her land. They had broken the home of The Empress, she would send them packing with their tails between their legs. Striding boldly and proudly through the grass, her golden coat rippled in the sun, blood red hair fanning out behind her. The picture of a goddess, a picture of the insane. Blood clung to her coat, it was her own and The Mad Hatter's. After all, she never claimed to be a honourable or good goddess. In fact she is the mistress of chaos, this is the way she chooses to present herself. A dangerous barbarian, a wicked witch who is uncivil. Let them judge her, it would be their deaths to doubt her in the end. A winged beast stands by a watcher who no down waited to bow to his chosen King. Little mind is paid to him, only a single sigh is exhaled through her nostrils. A sane one, she did not like him. Slowing, finally The Empress paused and presented herself to the three visitors. A wicked grin twisted her features into something quite untwist worth.
Not one did she know, yet she was pleased by their presence all the same. The golden lady spoke for them all, so it was her Eris paid the most mind to. Madness twinkled brightly in the blue eyes of The Hidden Fall's general, her silence pressed her own ears as she studied the lady. True she was beautiful, but the madness lacked and so did Eris' interest. Smiling softly at the Golden Lady finally her vocals plucked. "The Dragon king and Queen of lies will grace you with their presence soon no doubt." Would a warning be worth their time? Do not trust the clown face, she lies, takes what is yours and then hides behind the skirts of The Dragon King. No, first she would study them, learn what they wanted and if she felt inclined to deliver. This was her land after all, she pulled the strings, planed the strategy and wasn't given cold bird shit as a reward. But that didn't matter because one day she would rule, one day she would hold the key. The dragon lurked with the insane and the queen of lies would perish. That was a secret for now though. So The Empress smiled again and muttered. "Welcome to the Land of The Mad." Glancing over her shoulder, to study the land she protected Eris would only hit with a bite of bitter disappointment.
Would the visitors see through the haze and recognise the lie of this already bloodied land? The Empress hoped not, if it came to war she already knew how it would play out. They had the numbers but not the trust. No one trusted the other, each would claw another's eyes out in order to have their position. Their power. Turning back to the group now The Empress studied the black female, she did not speak either. Curiosity caused her head to tilt to the side and blue eyes flick over to the chestnut coloured stallion. They reeked of sanity, she could not catch a single whiff of lunacy. Pressing her chops into a tight line, Eris looks over to the winged beast the stood on guard, still and silent. This would not do, she was surrounded by the sane... maybe her lady could come and whisper sweet things with her sugar coated tongue. Choas' mistress would also be glad to see The Mad Hatter appearing, then again his rather brash tongue may scare their guests away. Narrowing her eyes, in the distance Eris tried to look for the familiar shape of Midnight's mistress. Truly she was needed right now, Eris did not have the ability to carry conversation or may the guest feel welcome. For the bloodied woman knew what was to be gained from his union of herds. She also knew what was to be lost.
Should she exchange employ pleasantries? Why would the Golden Lady care if Eris named her a maiden fair? No. Silence served a much better purpose. She would play her part of the loyal dog.
"Speech" It's late so I apologise for any mistakes! <3
I had been walking in the lower valleys, visiting with my new kin when the wolves came barking at our door. My personal attempts at grappling friendship and loyalty among those that held some semblance of a brain in this family had been making slight headway. There were a few I’d come to trust, and more I’d come to love less in these past few weeks. Some of the Asylum still gazed upon me as a usurper, their cold, calculating eyes constantly seemed set toward finding a weakness—there had been fretful nights I dreamt of a unicorn horn being rammed into my spine. The thought of it sent my skin crawling as if infested with insects.
Fina soared overhead, those cunning eyes keeping watch from the skies while I transverse the ground. It wasn’t long before a summoning cry hit my ears, not moments later feet pumped and sun tipped wings flailed apart. With swift beats I rapidly climbed into heaven to join my companion. Her gaze had narrowed, being a raptor bird she could see much farther than any horse—and as the images of her sight came through our minds, a hot ball of dread rose from its little cage in the pit of my belly.
From the distance I saw the type of folk that had entered our valley. Was this how they had pried for Ktulu and her sister? The golden hued female was instantly recognized as the lass who had been inflicted and saved. It was humorous now how the sight of her and those kin gave me reason to frown. Hawkeye was near, watching the lower valleys and trumpeting to our visitors in clear warning. His presence gave me comfort, but that feeling of reliability was extinguished as I also caught sight of Eris moving to greet winter’s children.
If a fight broke out…somehow I didn’t feel very secure. Fina neared my shoulder, cooing gently her condolence. I met those sky blue eyes for a moment; taking a deep breath in, then breathing out my concerns, worries and dread. The foggy corners of my mind cleared and with that exhaled breath an inborn leader and soldier emerged. Wings tucked halfway, I didn’t bother landing at a far distance from them, instead limbs jutted out and I came straight to earth only about a stone’s throw away. With the care of a father cradling his newborn son my toes touched ground and had they been watching some might have caught a glimpse of the gold that naturally spread from my feet wherever a step was taken.
So calculated and balanced had the landing been that hardly a speck of dust scattered as my body settled into earth once more—gaze rose, taking the group with a masked expression of formalities. My frown remained even as head tucked, striking the gem across neckline a single time. “Welcome to Hidden Falls,” the tenors of a man rose, sliding thickly from my jaws, sounding cool in stark contrast to the normal warmth of which I greeted other visitors. “What purpose stirs ye to come here?”
There had been a call for the leaders. And, having returned but a day prior from leaving the ice crown near the borders I was not in the best mood. I took my time, I will admit, as I gathered my footings in these lands again and came up beside Midas, giving Hawkeye a grateful nod, eyes meeting his as I silently hoped he would take that as a cue to be very alert as I passed.
Feet shifting quietly as I glanced over towards Eris and then to the painted on as he asks for their purpose. Three horned ones radiating scents from the north. A gentle nod of my head towards the three before us and then I allow my head to raise and watch them. "Yes. Welcome." I offer, but nothing more. Not yet. I didn't doubt enough words had been exchanged before my slow form had appeared.
The wind tousled my hair, and I could still hear the lulling sounds of the falls in the distance. A strange feeling, I would admit, to actually have it be our lands was lovely, and if I could feel emotions I wouldn't doubt that I would be exhilarated. However, my spirits seemed to be very ancy. Many whispered warnings were flitting through my skull. Why, I don't really know. But, I definitely wasn't sure exactly what was happening.
It was time to see what would happen and what was going on. Time to see what would become of this whole thing.
normal text "Speechy" Voices
--OOC
Sucks but it's up |:
We gotta take a chance while we're still young, but it's gotta be tonight
They come, slowly at first and then they trickle in like water, and she waits for each to appear with her soft smile guarding her thoughts. That they are mostly women and one wears a horn appeases her, pets her volatile urges and soothes her spirit, and that one of them is also Midas, her savior, the only pegasus to have proven worth past a pillow lining that has ever entered her life. She nods to each in turn, first the flame haired equine who welcomes her to the Land of the Mad, a curious statement that results in a brow rising and a gentle laugh to pour from her lips, good humored and sweet in the air.
That the man of the Throat so swiftly challenges their reasons for being here is no surprise to her, and her smile does not falter as she seeks to answer his inquiry as the final member of their leadership arrives, a most beautiful unicorn mare with a white mask and bloody stains all across her dark pelt. It is all she has to direct her words towards the pegasus who asked the question and not to the one she finds more comfortable with which to speak, even her foolish thoughts enough to hold her usual racist behavior in check for the time being.
There is not room for error, not with the darkness that has fringed their land as of late.
"An offer of peace, and friendship," she says, her expression entirely void of the irony in such a statement falling from her lips and directed towards such a creature of insufficient breeding, "a mare known as Circuta offered our herd aide in the times of darkness, and I owe Midas a great debt for healing me from the afflictions of the magical plague. It has softened the hearts of our people towards your own. We seek to unify our two herds, and to grow strong in our bond."
Pausing to look about her at those gathered, her smile does not falter and her voice is strong and without a quiver to be heard. She only lies partially through her teeth; it is true that this herd has done much to earn the respect of the violent kin of the mountain.
Amidst the glory, the wonder, the beauty and splendor the Falls’ opulence, twisting bays, mysterious groves, the nymph listened, surveyed, examined, and pondered over the menagerie of gathered souls. Though most comfortable with her brethren, settling between the scores of their Lady GildedBlade and Roland, curiosity was an immense, harmonious beat in her membrane, buzzing and building with crooning hymns, with the strings of Imogen’s subtle chirps, with the ambling of others’ coasting toward their call. A red empress followed the summons first, cloaked and unbidden, emboldened and audacious, slinking and reminding the songbird of ichor, blood-soaked fields, maddening smirks chiseled into canvases of violent war drums (and then quickly thereafter, ruminating on what truly existed in the land of the mad - pulsing raptures or lunatic reveries, bellicose hallucinations or March hare races?). Lena truly didn’t know what to make of her beyond the strings of chaos or promised subterfuge, like specious lands barely glanced over, masked, veiled terrain seeking provisions for its upheaval (and without power? She named others, Kings and Queens, no title shared between her lips – so what did she stir in her brewing cauldron?). Thereafter, a gilded steed, winged and distinguished, flying Emperor to the canopies and ravines, touched by silver, gold, and companion. His welcome, cool and tepid, distant and calculated, only slid into another query, before a femme Lena recognized, once maddened, once bristling, once content to rot away in a cave before her patriots, healed by her singsongs and sanguine hallelujahs, marched into their congregation. To all of them, the sylph offered a tender grin, a deep, respectful nod, and even the kitsune next to her jostled her ivory form into a burdened bow, capturing the building hesitancy, the raw questions, the anxious, unexplored exchanges, and waited for Illynx. An expression, a discussion of friendships forged, some partial, some undone, longing to be rekindled and fully recognized. And all the while – she meditated, reflected, on what could unfold. Were they as willing to fulfill a contract of peace, tranquility, and serenity? Eager to please, experienced in consul and emissary prowess, the gentle, wondrous spirit extended her arias, sonnets, and generosities, hoping to aid the process with floating whirls and whims heard through thickets and meetings. “A pleasure to meet each of you.” She paused, allowed her soft, honeyed eyes to peek over at each individual, a dulcet beat to her generous heart. “We would also like to offer trades between crafters – should you have need of our Weavers’ talents.”
From the sunsoaked grasses and shadowed copses they appeared, drawing towards them from the heart of their home as they waited by the border. Roland eyed them each as they approached, greeted first by a scarlet mare who was all shark sharp grins and eccentricity. Masking his curiousity and apprehension, he saluted them all in turn, a faint smile of relief curling his lips as they were joined by more lucid company, though no familiar faces stood among the trio that gathered before them. He remained silent as their initial greetings were exchanged, lacking the uninhibited warmth of hospitality, yet not entirely impolite, for the unmistakable nuances of diplomacy were present in every curt word spoken. Illynx and Lena’s propositions followed, and Roland took a small step forwards as they fell silent, drawing himself into the foreground while remaining dutifully behind the GildedBlade. “And we would be willing to offer a mutual exchange of information,” he chimed in, gaze flicking cordially over the faces of their audience.
There had surely been a time when, under different leadership, the Basin would never have considered such an alliance, or certainly not one that offered friendship, when the winged and hornless were among its ranks. Or perhaps he looked too harshly upon his family, and had not yet forgotten the things he had witnessed on the icy plains of his home. Perhaps they had changed, or perhaps it was merely out of a sense of duty that they offered peace and unification tied in with all the bells and whistles they had at their disposal. They certainly had not come with the intention of causing trouble, or Illynx would have chosen to bring along better company than Roland, for he was no soldier. Instead, he hoped that they might have a chance to mend fences, and rather than continuing to bear a reputation soaked in the blood of their inferiors, they could forge a name for themselves that was not always accompanied by intentions of ill will and violence. The Basin may have been made of ice, but that did not mean its inhabitants were.
Push your luck if it makes you a promise that turns con men honest.
It is as if the Lady of the Basin's mention of a Nightingale takes wing and plasters paint upon a canvas of stars, for from the northeast, from the catacombs of the inner workings of a insidious race of the mad and a trickling river of the sane comes the Nightingale with scars addling her flesh and aches still prominent within her mind; the shards, memories of cruor and foul scented foes sending tremors along the contours of her mind— she is shielded within the ideals that she is safe, guarded from the realm outside, and yet the fret and worry that lines her dome and furrows her brow remains, for she knows that they seek her with the tenacious strength of a bloodhound, and it is only time and riddled speech that shall occupy the hours betwixt, they shall come, and she may not be on guard, may not be within the walls of her kingdom— may not be secluded within the said prowess of her kin.
(A crow only caws for so long before it takes flight, feathers glinting in the sunlight, and a wolf only awaits for its meal so long before it lunges, maw japing and teeth gleaming, shimmering, stained with the cruor of past deeds and hunts alike).
Indeed, the woman with a breastplate of the universe within her spheres does not know if she even trusts a turned croup to the men within her own lands, her own civilization in which she is charged to wield spindly lies and sweet nothings for, to protect brother from thief and purloining fools, but if the crepuscular thoughts show upon her weary maw and baleful violet depths it is washed away as sand from the beach with the incoming tide, as soon as she catches sight of the gathered upon the borders, crowns held firm in the midst of springtide light, and the bubbling anticipations and overwhelming elation and delight come with it, for she recognizes a dual coupling in the warm hue— bay and aureate, one known as a GildedBlade to whom she is pleased to see alive, and one to whom's name she recalls well, within caverns labeled with the title of Sanctuary and a Labyrinth of the buried alive. Lena.
There are those of her homeland she recognizes as well, as her dainty cream hooves take her across the slope at a increasing pace, elegant, jubilance cawing through a cry of greeting as she approaches, mirth, a furor chiming up alongside the beat of a glass encased heart, cracked, beaten, alive, there is the obsidian and alabaster of the golden Caliph, the lace cheeked dome of the Jester, the luminous hue and sanguine tresses of the BloodEmpress— she slows to a halt beside the vermilion haired woman, her Queen, thrilled and irenic, a lull among the stress that had made itself prominent over the last few days.
Eons.
And so with a gentle dip of the dome and ever so meticulous bow, she rises to face them, a trio, one to whom she does not know, terracotta and cerulean— and the warmth that tenderly dances among her vibrant spheres extends towards them, intending to enwrap, to calm, to soothe, they are welcomed in these lands and she hums a sigh, delicate vocals making themselves known among their northern kin. "My apologies. It seems I have come late— it is relieving to see you in good health, GildedBlade. And you, as well, temptress of light." She sways her dome ever so slightly towards Lena, then allows a proper introduction to fall from her lips, a song, a chorus, a repeated title with the tone of the patter of rain upon glass. "I fret I have not had much time for introductions. I am Circuta, Sleuth of the Hidden Falls, beneath the Czarina Jester. I am.. beyond elated to see all of you."
And then she falls still, quiet, reverence and hush, pricking harks eager to grasp at the strings of sentences she is sure are to come.
(She prays, too, allowing her thoughts to swarm to the God of the Sun— divine, Lord, the one to which she serves out of the quadruple gods. Sire of light, let them not squabble, but allow us to gain a friendship on this eve instead; Amen).
[[Feel free to skip Eris so I don't hold up the thread. I am working on a post, just a bit busy with uni at the moment. I will be posting soon but if you have a post ready now, please don't wait for me.
Will delete this when I post Eris' next reply.]]
Seele arrived after me, late to the party but present all the same. Slowly my gaze drifted to stare into those predator like eyes for some reaction to all this—I am treated to nothing good. She seemed impassive to say the least; a thing that was both a relief and unsurprising. The mask this lady wore was a unique one. Illynx was quick to offer words of explanation, their purpose didn’t gap my mouth or shock in any form. Had they sent this same trio of from the Northern hills to greet Ktulu and her sister so many seasons ago? I remained still, quiet and alert. Gaze drifted from the two warriors standing aside, toward the golden lass I’d plucked from the claws of death. She smiles, but to me it is the grin of a she wolf, with all teeth barred.
The others, her, ‘companions’ of sort—speak next, giving their thoughts and voices to the matter. I linger on the male, holding his gaze without flinch and finding those eyes the most trusting out of this group. Circuta slithers from the timbers, vocals dripping welcomes and seemingly a promise of fellowship. Unbidden my ears slip back, “Thee must be tired from your journey—“ I turn attention back toward Illynx, “Find sanctuary tonight within our home, rest and by high sun tomorrow return to your family.”
Hardened tenors remain strong in their purpose, but friendly enough to assure that the unicorn folk from the North would have nothing to fear from us today or tonight. “I will discuss your proposal with my kin, and give an answer by the next full moon.”
As if summoned by her words, the ghost who had brought work of the marching darkness appears alongside the clown faced one, the welcomed sight of two strong unicorn women standing proud heartening in ways that she cannot and will not voice during this meeting. It is fair to say that she does feel some kindness within her dark heart for the winged King of this beautiful valley, but it is not enough to save him from the weakness displayed so openly along his shoulders, the white expanse of wing tipped in gold that makes her want to spit at his hooves and walk away. But she glances, ever so slightly, to the bay alongside her own body, and quiets her soul; the alliance is not for her, or for her precious Plague, but for those who help hold the mask over it all.
She would be the queen to them that Psyche had failed to be, a queen to them all, both the yin of the snowy peaks and the yang of the dark caves that riddled its belly.
The words of her companions have filled in the rest of their offers for her, a smile of thanks sent towards Roland for withholding the information they carried with them for the time being; for this friendship, it was not necessary. The only wounds that existed between the Basin and the Foothills had died with their old leaders, she hoped, and with any luck the extended branch of peace would be enough to win over the heart of the painted pegasus Lord of this land. She feared little in the ways of the dark witch and her moon faced accomplice, though she could not explain why and refused to admit that it was merely her comfort in their presence that left her so assured.
"And I you, Madam Circuta," she smiles, partly a truth though she is mostly glad that someone so obviously for the miscreants of the mountain had arrived to pitch her own voice into the melee of words that will surely follow the leader’s departure from the gathering. That most of the faces apparent had shown obvious preference to the female ruler present was also promising, a thought that leaves the Lady silently thanking herself for choosing only one male to accompany her and a quiet natured one at that, endlessly grateful for the absence of the dark stallion she ruled alongside.
He would only complicate things further.
She turns golden eyes to Midas as he speaks, bowing her head graciously while she grips her tongue savagely between her teeth. "We kindly accept your offer, Czar Midas, and I look forward to when we speak again," she says, her smile delicate and beautiful on her lying little face; she personally would rather sleep in a pit of vipers than alongside a former liege of the Throat, but even a Lady must admit when her legs are tired and spending the night somewhere might prove the tenderness of her emotions towards them.
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