the Rift


[OPEN] How to Destroy Angels [Patrol]

Murdock Posts: 198
Outcast atk: 9 | def: 10.5 | dam: 2.5
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.2hh :: 8 HP: 61.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Gaz
#1


Frostfall had eagerly swallowed up the Edge, showering it in snowflake confetti and wrapping garlands of frost about the silver-barked trees. The ocean was wild and dark as ever, swelling and growling against the cliffs like a hungry beast waiting at the doorstep of Helovia. Murdock had often liked to watch the sea, to witness its untamed excitement and the strange movements of the water as if it were a living, breathing entity. Much like the sky, but to a lesser degree he felt, it was a deadly and unpredictable animal.

The dance of the sea was so mesmerizing that he could have stood on the edge of the cliff and watched it forever, were it not for the wind that battered him as he stood in the open. How annoying the wind was; it pushes you off course, causes you to land short or struggle to fight against its force. It tore at his hair and bit deep into his hide. He wanted to curse the wind, but he was not sure who to address. What was causing this mass migration of air from one area to another? The Gods, perhaps? Or had some part of the planet opened its mouth and inhaled deeply, pulling the air into its molten lungs? How would you like it if I blew in your face all day? He thought bitterly, tucking his head against his dark chest.

Reluctantly, he turned away from the dark body of the ocean, sweeping his gaze across the white meadow behind him and the forest that lay beyond. As a Protector of the Edge, he had been assigned to patrol the lands, this time in the company of Ktulu. He had known the mare for many months, though merely as an acquaintance. He had met her many seasons ago when he joined the Grey as a mercenary and followed her into battle to claim that land that had been, at the time, known as the Foothills. Despite knowing little of her past and of her character, he had always held her in the utmost respect.

He moved toward the threshold of the forest, wading through the knee-deep snow toward the shadowed edge of the meadow. The snow grew shallower as he entered the woods, much of it having settled on the branches overhead. Every now and then a gust of wind from the ocean would stir the trees, sending a shower of sparkling snow across his dark back and sprinkling his pale wings in glittering flakes. He wound about the grey trunks, pausing every now and then to listen for a sound other than the pounding of his own heart and the occasional bird call. “Ktulu!” He called softly, reluctant to disturb the silence of the forest. He was eager to have her company, to let her voice drown out the many in his head and let her guide him about the parts of the Edge he was not yet familiar with.

"talk talk talk talk"

@[Ktulu]



NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY
I'll always belong in the sky

lydiardwildlife | joannastar-stock | mwilliams-stock
x

Ktulu the Constrictor Posts: 509
Outcast atk: 5.0 | def: 9.5 | dam: 6.5
Mare :: Hybrid :: 16.1 :: 7 HP: 70.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Eytan :: Grizzly Bear :: Terrorize ali
#2
   Courage, Loyalty, Honor</style>
  there's a brotherhood between us. if you're not ready to give up   everything you've already lost.</style>



It was strange how the Grey had disbanded only for a majority of its members to end up in the Edge. It was as if they were drawn together one reject to another like moths to a flame. Ktulu could remember each of them that had been under her command. She remembered calling them her soldiers. Her brothers and sisters in arms. Her family. Though she was loathe to admit it aloud when she had left them she had left part of herself with them and now that they were slowly coming back together she felt a sense of completeness. It was only a matter of time before she had yet another patrol with one of her previous soldiers, only this patrol was different. She no longer bore the heavy weight of the title 'Captain'. No, Cheveyo now bore that weight and Ktulu, herself, bore the title of Sergeant. She was still important, just not as important. She would be missed as terribly if she disappeared from time to time to care for her mate, especially when she became bloated with child.

'Ktulu!'

A low growl rumbled in her chest at the voice that filtered through the trees. It was hushed as if the one calling did not want to interrupt the goings on of the Edge. Heavily clawed paws sunk into the snow as she ambled in the direction she thought the call had come from. If she remembered the voice correctly from the few times she'd spoken to him it was probably Murdock, which meant that it was time for their patrol to begin. In the time between patrols the Constrictor had taken to exploring the magic she had discovered while battling for the title of Captain. Shapeshifting, she found, was quite painful and she thought that if she practiced it the pain would lessen, and it did to some extent. She doubted that the pain of it would go away completely, but that was to be expected.

It took her several minutes before she reached the area where Murdock waited. Beside her was Eytan, a much smaller version of herself. They must have looked like quite the duo and, realizing this, Ktulu stopped her advance and allowed her body to shift back to its normal state. She shook out her mane when the shift had completed and snorted quietly as fireflies began to flutter around her face before settling into her mane. "Murdock." She spoke the warrior's name and nodded her head in greeting. "I assume you're ready to begin our patrol?"

@[Murdock]

"."

CREDITS

Icon by Tay

Murdock Posts: 198
Outcast atk: 9 | def: 10.5 | dam: 2.5
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.2hh :: 8 HP: 61.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Gaz
#3


The silence of the forest was calming. The voice of the ocean was a distant roar, muted by the white trees and blurred into perpetual background noise, accented by the hiss of the wind through the branches as a bow on strings. The cold crawled across Murdock’s skin as he stood waiting, icy fingers sinking into his coat and pulling gently at his curled hair. The woods seemed empty, devoid of life save the rhythmic beating of his own impatient heart. He listened for a reply from Ktulu, ears straining to detect her voice or the sound of her approach, though he heard neither.

He was about to push on further, to make his way deeper into the forest as perhaps she was not in this area. The Edge was a very large place, of course, and she could be anywhere across their lands. However, before he could take another step, the sound of snapping twigs and huffing breaths caught his attention. He turned around to see a large bear ambling through the trees, its broad frame pushing past firm trunks and wading through the snow directly toward him. You’re not Ktulu, he thought, panic gripping his heart as the beast drew closer. Much to his horror, he discovered the bear was accompanied by a smaller one, a cub perhaps.

He stepped away from them, backing through the deep snow as the pair closed in on him with purpose. His wings lifted from his sides, feathers brushing against bark and the prickly brush of coniferous trees. Flight was not an option in the dense forest, though perhaps his wings would make him appear larger and more threatening to the creatures before him. He backed away as far as he could, his body freezing as his hips pressed in between two large trees. His eyes were wide with fear as they came to a halt before him, perhaps sizing him up as a suitable lunch.

However, they did not leap at him with tooth and claw bared to tear his flesh. Instead, the large one began to change, its body transforming slowly into a tall, slim, dark figure with hair as white as the snow. A thin, pale horn rose from its forehead, the tip sharply pointed and dipped in scarlet. His eyes widened further as, in place of the beast, Ktulu stood before him. The smaller bear remained at her side, seeming unphased by its companion’s transformation. The sergeant greeted him casually, and he opened his mouth to respond, but found no words. Instead, he nodded weakly in response to her question, not yet trusting the steadiness of his voice.

He hoped she had not noticed the look of terror upon his face when she arrived, but of course, that was unlikely. He had never seen such a transformation before, though, and it both fascinated and frightened him. Oh, the trouble he could cause if he possessed such an ability. He attempted to regain his composure, stepping forward and looking into the depths of the white-washed forest ahead. Hesitating for a moment, he allowed the pair to reach his side. He turned to look at Ktulu, his head tilted curiously. “That’s quite the trick you have,” he smiled slightly. “Where did you learn to do that?” He had never had much experience with magic. Though he possessed his own, he had rarely found reason to use it.

"talk talk talk talk"

@[Ktulu]



NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY
I'll always belong in the sky

lydiardwildlife | joannastar-stock | mwilliams-stock
x

Ktulu the Constrictor Posts: 509
Outcast atk: 5.0 | def: 9.5 | dam: 6.5
Mare :: Hybrid :: 16.1 :: 7 HP: 70.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Eytan :: Grizzly Bear :: Terrorize ali
#4
   Courage, Loyalty, Honor</style>
  there's a brotherhood between us. if you're not ready to give up   everything you've already lost.</style>



Ktulu seemed unphased by the fear her patrol partner exhibited when he saw her in a form that was not typical. 'Scared him.' Eytan chided as he looked up at her with his warm caramel colored eyes. Rather than apologize for scaring him she chose to address his choice of defense. "Making yourself bigger will not scare a bear off." She stated. "It only makes you appear to be a threat and a bear will react to any threat in the same way you or I would. By attacking and fighting until the threat is neutralized." 'Should apologize.' Eytan interrupted her, causing her to turn her gaze down onto the bear. "Why?" In her eyes she had done nothing wrong. She had simply been practicing her magic when Murdock had called on her to start their spar. Besides, it was better than he find out now than later on if she had to use it. In fact it was probably safer for them both. 'Because.' The bear grunted, drawing an eyeroll from his bonded. "I apologize for scaring you." The Constrictor replied despite Eytan's lack of a good reason as to why she should apologize.

"That's quite the trick you have. Where did you learn to do that?"

.Ktulu nodded her head in agreement. The change had been strange at first, nearly impossible for her to wrap her mind around, but she had grown accustomed to it. Sometimes she found herself roaming through the edge looking like a bear because that form seemed to be far more frightening than her regular one. It was useful for scaring off would be predators and trespassers. "I discovered it when I was battling with Archibald against Note and Fiore for my position as Captain." A position she had willingly given up so she could watch over Lakota when she became heavy with foal. "It was ... shocking." The dark mare admitted. "But I've grown quite fond of it. I cannot say the same for Fiore or Note." The two had seemed quite fearful when they had seen it, and it was not without reason. She had been become out of control with the change and the overwhelming instinct that came with it. Had it not been for Archibald she might have succeeded in her mission of ripping Note apart.

"Shall we begin?" Ktulu said, effectively averting her thoughts from the battle. "Our duty is to patrol the border, not stand and chat like broodmares."

@[Murdock]

"."

CREDITS

Icon by Tay

Murdock Posts: 198
Outcast atk: 9 | def: 10.5 | dam: 2.5
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 16.2hh :: 8 HP: 61.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Gaz
#5


The Sergeant seemed unphased by his reaction, merely critiquing his handling of the situation with a calmness in her voice that surprised him. He had little experience with wild animals and though he was a trained fighter and a Protector of the Edge, he believed he would often choose to flee rather than flight. Unless, of course, someone could come to harm by the beast. In this case, it had been his own hide at risk and the cramped quarters of the forest was not the easiest place to defend oneself. “Right…of course,” his reply was quiet, hesitant, as he cast a glance down at his feet spread apart in the snow. Slowly he returned his wings to his sides, folding them up and adjusting his posture.

He dipped his head at her apology, though he doubted the sincerity of her words. Nonetheless, the smile that was at home upon his lips returned and he sought out the dark gaze of the Sergeant as she spoke. Murdock would never admit it to anyone, least of all her, but the unicorn frightened him a bit. Perhaps his fear was more out of respect, as she had recruited him into the Grey and he had followed her into the invasion for the Foothills until the herd crumbled apart and what was left of the family disintegrated. He liked her, though, and certainly would never cross her now that he had seen her newly acquired magic.

He nodded at her reply, taking a step away from the trees into which he had backed himself and moving closer to the Sergeant and her companion. He couldn’t blame Fiore and Note for disliking her ability to transform. It was impressive, to be sure, but he had always been a bit scared of bears in particular for some reason. Perhaps it was their massive heads and small eyes, or their long, knife-like claws. They were fast, despite their lumbering appearance, and Murdock knew he would never want to end up in a race with one.

He glanced at her as she spoke again, sighing softly into the cold air. “Of course…” he didn’t hesitate a moment longer, stepping out of the deep snow and onto the worn path that led into the heart of the forest. He had walked it many times, often alone, but now he would have some company. However, his superior was evidently not eager to indulge in much of the way of conversation, so he kept his mouth shut. It was a beautiful day for a walk, though, however their purpose in the forest involved more than just enjoyment. He scanned the shadows as he walked, pale hooves skimming through the powdery snow and feathers hissing against the smooth bark of the trees.

"talk talk talk talk "

@[Ktulu]

(Sorry, I posted this a while ago but forgot to tag you...)



NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY
I'll always belong in the sky

lydiardwildlife | joannastar-stock | mwilliams-stock
x

Ktulu the Constrictor Posts: 509
Outcast atk: 5.0 | def: 9.5 | dam: 6.5
Mare :: Hybrid :: 16.1 :: 7 HP: 70.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Eytan :: Grizzly Bear :: Terrorize ali
#6
   Courage, Loyalty, Honor</style>
  there's a brotherhood between us. if you're not ready to give up   everything you've already lost.</style>



As she addressed Murdock's choice of defense it began to appear as if he was self conscious about it. The way he looked down at his hooves and hesitantly tucked his wings back against his sides spoke volumes to the mare. "The forest is not an ideal area to engage in battle." Ktulu mused, thinking that most of the reason for his reaction was the close quarters they had been in. "But it is just as much a hindrance to your opponent, bear or horse, as it is to you. Whoever capitalizes on the arena is likely the one that will come out the winner." It was not so long ago that she, herself, would have chosen to threaten a bear rather than retreat. Being bonded to Eytan had taught her immensely and she had gained a respect for the large animals that she did not have for many others.

He didn't need her to tell him that, but Ktulu still found herself rambling in a fashion that was unlike herself. There was a certain comfort that she felt with Murdock that she did not feel with some of the other warriors the Edge had to offer. Cheveyo held the same sort of comfort and the Constrictor began to suspect that those feelings were because they all held ties to the Grey. Regardless she needed to watch herself because heavens forbid that any of the warriors think she actually liked any of them (which she did). She simply didn't want any of them to have the idea that she would be chummy with them when there was work to be done. There was always work to be done.

The stallion agreed to getting their patrol underway and so Ktulu nodded. "If we move quickly enough and don't come across any issues we should be done in a few hours. After that you're free to do whatever it is you do until your next patrol." As she spoke she had begun to walk, eager to complete her patrol so she could return to Lakota. Eytan was used to patrols with his bonded, so without her asking him to he ran ahead. "Eytan will scout ahead. If he finds anything he will alert us." She informed the stallion should he be wondering what the bear was doing.

ooc://
where did my muse go? |:

@[Murdock]

"."

CREDITS

Icon by Tay


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