It was quiet steps which had led her to this island. And while she had to admit that the clouds pulling her up into the sky had been a little unnerving she was still better off than she had been in the past. Glass hooves just barely clink against the rock as she slides into the area with the green tents. This seemed like a good enough place to get the rest of the herd to gather. In fact, it was the perfect place. So, she pulls up next to the largest one, right in between their stone pillars. "Those of the Falls, it is time that we meet once more" she calls out, soprano voice with harsh consonants ringing through the air and vibrating across the fields.

They had plenty to talk about, that she knew, and it was time that the new Storyteller was given the light deserved. Alliances had been made, and new people had been brought forward into higher positions. Recognition was important, and information was of necessity. That was what she strove for, and what most of her new additions seemed to strive for as well. A gentle break in her voice as she shushes the voices - daring to quiet me, though I will admit it was only for the moment - to allow her mind to craft the next words. "Information needs to be spread and gained,"

Then, and only then, did she wait. Her dark bodice finally in the sun to act as a beacon for the rest of her herd to join her. It was time to be a family again.

Sometimes Alleo wondered why he was even part of a herd. He did very little in the way of a warrior's duties. The desire to be the best of the best had been quelled and instead he desired only to ensure the safety of the one mare that had managed to capture his heart and claim it as her own. She had slipped away from him shortly after her eyesight had been taken and her voice returned and he'd searched for her, cursing himself when he hadn't found her by sunset. He had sworn that if anything happened to her he would never forgive himself for allowing her to slip from his side so easily.

Somehow, during his searching, he found himself in a land that he had never seen before and was completely unaware of how he had managed to get there. A frown plastered itself to his scarred face as he began his search anew. There were voices that he could hear, scents that he knew well enough from wandering around the Hidden Falls. There was one, ever so faint, but it quickened his pulse and made him raise his head, his mismatched eyes searching for her

There she was, pale and lovely as ever.

The stallion cantered toward Rasta, slowing as he got near. His ears twitched as the sound of his name fell from her lips and the frown disappeared despite his exasperation with her. "Rasta..." He murmured, muzzle touching her cheek gently. His bliss at finding her was only momentary, however, because both of the leaders were there. He looked to them and dipped his head in greeting to the Czar and Czarina. He'd had very little interaction with either of them and had no real opinion of their leadership capabilities, but they were leaders nonetheless and he would show them respect.

"."

Alleo

even when you're crying you're beautiful too
the world is beating you down, i'm around through every mood

Their journey to the island was nothing short of a miracle for the grounded unicorn and his bonded. Never before had he imagined ever being able to look down over the rest of the land as if he had wings. It was a sight that would not be soon forgotten that was for sure but the stallion still carried apprehension to something that seemed all too good to be true. So far on their mission nothing had been found to be amiss but there was too much of a good thing for something not to go wrong at some point or another. With the many problems arising down on earth he had begun to question if this strange island had anything to do with it. Moss just didn't go from harmless foliage to a weapon of mass murder overnight without some major mutation to cause it. Hearing Seele's voice drift across the currents his ears pricked forward as he altered his route to appease her request. Kiara had not strayed far from her bonded after the moss attacks so she quickly sprinted to catch up to her friend so not to be left behind.

Arriving promptly the warrior slowed his pace as he joined the gathering looking around to see who all had managed to find their way up here. Midas had arrived shortly after their queen followed by a couple of the other herd members who he only knew by their callings. He really should be more diligent in getting out to meet the other members of their herd so that he might find out more about those he resided with in the Falls. Nodding his head respectfully towards both Seele and Midas he chose a spot nearby to await the rest of the herd to arrive.

It would be interesting to see what news would be available to them about this strange island, if any that is. Hopefully the situation back on the ground would be discussed so that everyone could remain as safe as possible. He would hate to see anyone get injured or killed at the hands of the screwed up moss. Kiara sauntered up beside him to join in on the meeting gazing around with her curious blue orbs.


Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks

Having been pulled up onto this mountain quite by surprise, you've been stuck here ever since. While you've managed to get over your deep-seated fear that the island is going to just tip over and dump all the inhabitants to the ground, you haven't yet been foolish enough to stop back onto a cloud to just float on down to the ground. No. Nu-uh. Not happening. The only misfortune about the whole situation is that you need to get back down the ground to destroy Kreiger. But while you wait, trying to drum up some courage, you have been sticking close to the center of the island, away from the edges where something dangerous might happen.

Unfortunately, your presence here has left you vulnerable to the whims of the obnoxious glass horn and soon enough her voice sings through the air, grating against your annoying unintoxicated ears. Drugs aren't safe up here, you decided almost immediately after arrival, and you've been suffering through almost-detox ever since. Only your drug magic, judiciously used, has kept you safe from a disaster as terrible as the one you suffered while stuck in the safety of that forsaken underground labyrinth.

Regardless, the glass bitch has spoken and you'll humor her by arriving at her meeting. You haven't directly disobeyed her yet, but you will soon enough. You will travel that the Basin, horns and teeth bared, to defend Snowflake's honor. She can't count on her “family” but she can count on you. So, blundering through a breeze filled with salmon-colored cherry blossoms, you arrive at the herd meeting. Taking quick count of who is around, you do not see Snowflake anywhere. Therefore, you stay off on the edge of the gathering, making sure there is room for her to join beside you.

Oxy

The herd I have joined, it seems, enjoys one thing above all others, as far as I can tell – meetings.

A sly smile makes its way to my lips as I take to the heavens and angle myself towards our meeting tent on this drifting isle, Dog skirting below me, my memories filled with the jest I had given to Murdock in the summer storm on the arch about there being a meeting every two minutes about some miniature disaster or another within the herd. While the others often have displayed bother and concern over these events, I feel very little; my emotional ties to all these people are slim if not nonexistent, while I am beginning to know their faces and smells, I do not care whether those faces wear smiles or frowns.

The gathering appears before too long in the skies, and I descend to join them with the traces of my smile gone and replaced with the morbid wonder as to where Circuta has gone and if my quest given to her has been forgotten or never had a foundation to begin with. It is my sisters and they alone that bind me to this land and its rulers, the petty squabbles that rise between them over disagreements on leadership and tactic.

I don’t know any of them and so I settle on the outskirts, very obviously avoiding any nearness to that gaunt and haggard drug abuser that had invited me into the Asylum on my first days here. I still don’t know his name, nor do I care to. He’s a waste of space and air, an Elysian rug for a poor and unlucky family who couldn’t spare the change for a better floor mat.


C e a l e s t i s</style>
who knows how deep the heart runs</style>

Cashmere

I can't say that I don't understand the reason for herd meetings. Because really I do. You need to get all your members in the same place and catch them up on all the life updates. Check in with everyone, see how they're doing, do a headcount. That sort of thing. But I also can't say that I particularly enjoy them. In this case, it's an interruption from trying to find Finn, the crafter. Not to mention, this is not even on the Helovia mainland. I've followed Midas and Seele to this island in the sky that everyone has been talking about. I'm not sure I feel comfortable being up in the air like this. I mean, there's solid ground beneath me, but I still have this sensation that I'm going to fall off the edge if I'm not careful. I have followed them carefully, staying close by as if having them nearby will keep me safe, like some big forcefield.

They stop and send out a call for the members of the Hidden Falls. That's right. Meetings. I stand quietly as others gather around, and watch as some that I know appear. I'm sad that Elsa has yet to appear - I hope she is okay, and safe. The last few times that I've seen her she's been a little... off kilter. More so than usual. Of course, I'm one to talk. But the Voice has not spoken in my mind in a very long time, and I wonder if I'm not cured of her constant presence. Perhaps... if I'm so lucky. She may enjoy herself around here in the sky, wreaking havoc. I do not miss her.. and perhaps she's happily enjoying herself somewhere else.

Walk. Talk.

What is BROKEN cannot always be REMADE

Elsa has been wandering quite a lot lately up here. It was just so pretty and peaceful... she sighed though. She felt that she should go tell the herd but, technically that wasn't her job right? She hadn't met any of her fellow herd members up here and constantly wondered if this was some secret club or something. Obviously not though, for when she heard the vocals of Seele, she knew that a bunch of herd members had made it up here.

She she meandered over, realizing that her usual punctual time was not so "punctual". Well, she was on time, but was not the first. She looked to the other faces who had arrived, of the faces she knew, Rasta, Midas, Cashmere and... Oxy. She smiled a little, comforted by the fact she wouldn't awkwardly have to stand alone. Elsa wondered a little if he hadn't meant the words he had said not long ago.. but in reality it'd be better to find out now than later.

So she walked over, nearing his left side, making sure her own mangled eye was out of sight. Sure she had grown out of most of the pain, but she had become extremely self-conscious of the wound. In fact, she hadn't even taking to sparring since the incident. She'd been working on spars pretty often, but now she was too afraid to face the fact that she may not even be able to fight.

She offered a soft muzzle to his shoulder, reassuring him she was fine, and settled in to listen. As far as she knew, nothing drastic had happened, so was this just for a headcount? Either way, as long as she wasn't asked to stand up and give a speech she was fine.

"Talking"

Elsa

The half-child, having finished that strange, strange race, finds himself wandering this island, wondering if he should stay up here or return to the ground below. How exactly he got up here at all is kind of confusing and a little lost in his memory, but he has been disappointed thus far to find that neither Kiara nor Zunden nor Athena nor his father nor Erebos have been anywhere to be seen. And, since he has no other friends in this world, he finds that he has been rather lonely except for the love and attention from his beloved fawn. Sweet Tobias. Adelric nuzzles him fondly.

A call interrupts the tender moment between child and fawn, a sound that he remembers vaguely from when he was much younger. The voice of his czarina. Truth be told, he does not feel much like he fits in with his family. Perhaps it is, in part, his fault for not trying to spend time with them. Perhaps it is partly his mothers fault, for trying so hard to protect him. Perhaps it is just in his personality to be lonely. Whatever the reason, it is only a desire to make his mother happy that sends him wandering to towards the gathering. Curiosity permeates his mind, but it is not his own. Tobias- the fawn does not know anything of the herd as he has not been there yet.

Arriving at the back and looking around, the half-child does not see any that he recognizes. Another sigh- he had dared to get his hopes up. Shuffling uneasily, he walks as close as he dare get but he wants so badly to stay in the shadows where he and Tobias will be safe. Interesting, then, that some of the cherry trees that had lingered behind him begin to subtly shift and behind so that their boughs hide the child in the shadows, somewhat. The half-child is shocked, and in fact so astounded by the feat that he decides it must be the magic of this island. He has seen it first hand in the race, after all. Otherwise he waits, no words to add.

Zünden sighed as the day wore on she was starting to become worried that about her odd ball brother. Adel had not come to harass her all day and that wasn't like him at all. 'What has that boy gotten himself into now?' Grumbling softly she embraced anger, to squish her worry down. Heaving her stormy grey body to spindly legs carefully not to hit her still tender nose. Where her tender snout had been viciously attacked by a red wanna-be turtle. If it hadn't been for that winged mare she might have seriously lost part of her nose. Grimacing at the thought the filly drew in the spores of her brother searching for his trail. Zigzagging over their normal sleeping place she finally picked up his trail.

'Why can't he walk in a straight line?' her thoughts bubbled as she wove back and forth searching for the spotted bay boy. After following his familiar scent for a while she came to a place where is just stopped. "Where are you Adel?" Normally harsh tones were soft with concern. Had something happened to her innocent and malleable brother? Anger bubbled up fighting the anxiety burning in her heart. 'If someone touched him so help me Gods...' Snorting the filly stood where her brothers smell ended and turned her mismatched eyes upward and was surprised to see an island floating high above her tiny frame.

Her stomach suddenly flips forcing her body to flinch ready to run, even though that could mean the end of her. The cloud had formed under her sharp hooves, much like a shadow sneaks under your body as the sun rises. "Oh fuck..." Panic swirled in with the cocktail of emotions already filling her heart. Zünden froze not wanting to fall off the puffy white cloud afraid she might fall through or over the edge. 'What kind of trick did the Gods send down for me this time?' She thought as the cloud brought her to the lip of the island. It was stunning pink flowers covered the trees the grass was lush and glittering emerald. A breeze brought here the scent of many things she had never smelt before, cloth, glass, leather, and shaped wood. There was a surprising smell wafting around the pleasant air, Adelric. Following the sweet smell of spotted bay she heard the call of her female leader. 'Meh, she can wait Adel is way more important.' she thought with a snort. Lucky for her the trail lead her right to her brother and leaders.

As her odd eyes rested upon her brother she moved forward quickly fighting the urge to yell his name. The small fawn was by his side like always, but she ignored him. When she was close the storm filly attempted to reach her slender muzzle towards him. Whispering softly into his ear her emotions eased, "Adelric you scared me senseless!" Sighing softly she tried to press her slightly smaller frame against his minding her horns, before turning back to the czarina.


"Arrogant Lingo" 'Pompous Musings'
WORDS: 504
TAGS: -
NOTES: -

Kiara

To long Kiara had kept to the herd land. Very rarely since that night in the Heavenly Fields had the young roan ventured far from home. The few times she had she had met kind new friends. Finn, the stallion who she healed his leg, and Athena, her new adopted daughter. She was worried however that all three of the children had been absent from her side for a while now. While she worried for the youngest one Athena, she worried over her older two as well. Had their father come to take them away while she was not with them? Had some kind of harm come to them?

It was with those fears, Kiara left the Falls. Keiran used his keen sense of smell to follow the last trail of both twins. So far they were in luck, they both were heading the same way. Girl's trail fresher than boy's. So that could only mean Zünden was tracking her brother.

When they arrived at the bottom of a strange island in the sky however.... Kiara hesitated going any farther. She had no wings, nor did Keiran. What if they got stuck up there only to find out the kids were not there.... Risk we need to take. Keiran spoke in her mind. Yes, they would have to chance it and hope if the kids weren't there that there was a way back down. Stepping closer to the island, her hooves and his paws were met with soft fluffy clouds. With a shaken yowl from the panther and a nervous snort from Kiara they were off, carried up into the sky until they reached the island itself.

As her hooves hit the ground, Seele's voice carried out over the island. Okay, so that means they are not the only ones up here. Maybe they will be at the herd meeting. Let's go. Quickly they set off, not wanting to be late.

They were not late, nor it seemed the last to arrive. Many were still missing from their ranks. Some Kiara had not seen in months. Her emerald green eyes scanned over the small crowd before... There! Her twins were safe and sound with the rest of the herd. Quickly she moved to them, reaching out to nuzzle each child in turn, her face clearly showing her relief. It was only then she discovered her son was now bonded. With a smile she spoke to both children first. "You two have had me worried sick. Have either of you seen Athena?" Keiran moved to rub against both twins legs as a sign of affection from him. He nosed Adelric one extra time as if to say "congratulations" to the boy. It is only then Kiara whispers softly to her son. "I see you have become bonded as well. Congratulations. Take care of that bond, it is a very special thing." Then she turned her attention to the herd meeting, hoping that if any other herds had fond their way up here that they would all be safe at least.
""

BELLONA

She saunters into the meeting with her head held high and her banner swaying, unwilling to allow her lack of punctuality to soil her flashy entrance. In truth it is not only her untimely appearance that she tries to make up for, but her recent downfall with those that have summoned her to this meeting. The glass-horned one had managed to break her spirit then, but the Aztec stubbornly refuses to showcase her memory of that pain now. Yet even through her guarded expression and proud gait the bird still manages to be respectful.

"Midas." He gets little more than an emotionless stare and a nod, but the bright woman's gaze instantly changes when she locks eyes with the red. "Seele. I'm happy to see you up here." One corner of a blue maw twitches as if in the makings of a smile, but the owner of said maw remembers that this is the one who snapped at her. She has not earned all of her pleasantries just yet, but the peahen has learned her lesson. Those in power do not ask for respect; they demand it. Maybe one day you shall have to give what you seek.

Speaking of pleasantries, the colorful creature owes such a thing to the horned giant. The feathery cape upon her back lifts as the maiden finds his staggering form, but the fibrous tendrils droop when she finds a woman at his hip. The solitary creature finds this odd, but she does not question it until she has joined the unicorn at the side opposite of his icy queen.

"I didn't know you had a pet," she whispers, as blunt as ever. "Where did you find your ice queen?" With the meeting still going on it would not surprise the rainbow if only he could hear her. Her words are meant only for the bay, after all.

A fiery stare rakes over the hides of all those gathered here, silently judging each of them before returning to the shire. "I would like to speak with you later. In private." That last part should be unnecessary, but the beauty doesn't know if she should expect to see the pegasus following them around now. She hopes not. The giant is already enough of a handful on his own.

After she has said what she has meant to say the peahen watches the meeting go on with dulled interest. This is her first public appearance amongst the members of the Falls and, although this should be a pivotal moment in her career as a sleuth, she really just doesn't care. She casts a bored glance around every once in a while, taking in the forms of the flapping tents and studying those around her. The most exciting part of her day so far has been watching the drunk play with some bottle. Just what is he doing over there?

Not caring about causing a ruckus with all that is going on, the beauty picks her way through the crowd until she can sidle up beside the unicorn. Turning an inquisitive eye to his pupil-less one, she tries to ask him a question without making it seem obvious to the almighty speakers. "What's that?"

{In summary, this post is directed towards Oxy and Rostislav, primarily. Elsa easily could have overheard Bellona's comments, however.}

"Talking"