the Rift


[PRIVATE] !! Iodine

Rasta Posts: 305
Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba
#1
RASTA

hey sister, do you still believe in love, i wonder?

Fitting in. I was trying to find my place back in this world. However, I knew that I would need to go back to the Earth God soon. I needed to return my quest as I felt I had completed it. I was already so grateful that he was even willing to try and help me. After all, I had yet to do anything amazing in his favor. I was just… existent. Anyways, I should not dwell on this now. Right now I just needed to remind myself that I was home and that I could find my way back without help. I needed to reassure myself that I would not get trapped again like I had just recently.

So I started to trek outwards. Slowly looping myself back to the Falls and going out further each time. However, it wasn't until today that something strange happened. You see, it was like the ground was ripped from me. The air was blowing through my hair and I didn't quite understand why I couldn't clearly feel the ground. No, all I could feel was air. A scream ripped from my lungs as I panicked. I didn't want to die. I didn't want to die.

Then, as quickly as the ground was ripped from me, it returned. I snorted, sweeping my tail across the ground in a slow motion, allowing the earth around me to rumble ever so slightly. Good, there was still land. I was still on some kind of land. But it was different than the land I had been on before. There were different kinds of trees laid out in different areas when there had been no trees before. No. This was wrong. This was so wrong.

I began to spin, uncertainly clinging to the Earth that I was afraid would drop out from under me. How did I get to this strange place. How did this even happen? Did I just transport somewhere? This shouldn't happen.

I just need something sane to happen…
@[Midas]




Image Creds | Coding by Schwartze

Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say
Ascended Helovian

Midas the Gallant Posts: 1,164
Deceased
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 14.3 hh :: Immortal :: Soul is 7 (FF) Buff: HUNTER
Fina :: Common Zephyr :: Phoenix & Wakiya & Neve :: Common Zephyr :: Arctic Angel
#2

The weekly patrol of this floating isle turned sour when in the distance a piercing scream rockets to heaven. My flesh gives an involuntary jerk, it trembles as the terrified cry ignites a surge of anxiety. Patched forelimbs are already in motion, glinting pinions slide from their sheath, they arch high above my body. That voice was unmistakable, I knew the owner well. Air was fiercely thrust to the rear, it swelled beneath my wings and gave instant lift. Golden toes abandoned the ground as I raced on.

Please, I begged. To myself, to whatever God might be listening. 'Don't let me be late.' It was only natural that this mind had already jumped to the worst possible conclusions.

By the time I'd found my quarry, the creamy mare seemed uninflected. She was standing by, starting to turn a small circle. I braced for a quick landing, a hoof-full of yards away. Concern, made the brief but shocking wash of pain that was inflicted on my joints as I touched down, easier to ignore. Wings remained unfurled upon landing. My muzzle drifted high in the air, scenting the mixed perfume with a raspy breath. After a brief moment it became apparent that there was no sign of danger; Rasta appeared to be in fine form. "Rasta!" I called, pressing toward her at a light trot, pausing only when I'd closed the distance enough to give the girl a proper look over. She is holding close to the edge, "What ails thee? I heard ye scream?"



MIDAS & FINA
I'm waking up to ash and dust


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Rasta Posts: 305
Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba
#3
RASTA

hey sister, do you still believe in love, i wonder?

It seemed as though my scream had attracted attention. Not long after I let out the screech did I hear the beating of wings. And, as I spun in circles it was the THUD! of a landing which caused me to freeze and carefully turn my maw toward where I felt the vibrations radiate from. My name reaches the air as the muscled and small form I knew to be Midas began a brisk trot towards me, a gentle smile curving my lips upward as my ears flickered around in uncertainty of the actual location I was at.

He asked what was wrong, having heard my scream and I shuffle my limbs a little bit to inch in closer to the form I knew and farther away from the wall of vibrations behind me now. "I. The ground just… disappeared." I mumble, head shifting around uncertainly as I attempt to figure out just what happened. "And, when I felt the ground again… everything was different." I shudder a little before inching a little farther away from the wall of vibrations that was giving me a small headache. "Where are we, Midas?" she questioned, tilting her head to the side inquisitively. After all, the land was not just meant to disappear as it did before. And, because it had changed so drastically something had to be different - something had to have been the cause of this. "And why did the land disappear for a little bit?"







Image Creds | Coding by Schwartze

Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say
Ascended Helovian

Midas the Gallant Posts: 1,164
Deceased
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 14.3 hh :: Immortal :: Soul is 7 (FF) Buff: HUNTER
Fina :: Common Zephyr :: Phoenix & Wakiya & Neve :: Common Zephyr :: Arctic Angel
#4

I was pleased and relived that she was alright. It would seem Rasta had experienced the joy of flight, without birthright or the rewarding thrill that goes with it. She explained her reasoning behind screaming; an excuse I could sympathize with. The creamy lass had been forcefully pulled from earth-- carried to this plain with likely little warning. Yar. I'd have shouted as well. Apollo had responded in a similar fashion when he'd been brought up. Yar, and he had vision, whereas Rasta did not.

Slowly my muzzle stretched, moving toward the quivering girl as a warm breath of air escapes -- seeking to spill over her neck and offer miniscule comfort. Give firm nowledge that there was nothing to fear. "Aye," agreement, the ground had indeed vanished for a moment, "This is thee's first trip to the floating island?" I glanced behind her then returned my stare to those sightless pools out of habit, "ye arrived on a cloud from the lower lands, God magic." Had she truly never been here before? "Would ye like an escort to our section of the island?" Our section was mostly a tent, surrounded by grassy fields that she wouldn't be able to see; but perhaps they could still be appreciated. "This place is for all to enjoy." For how long? I wondered. With death cropping up every time someone turned their brow in the opposite direction. Perhaps Helovia had cursed this place, summoned the same sickness which plagued our home. Unseen, unheard, rarely felt.


MIDAS & FINA
I'm waking up to ash and dust


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Rasta Posts: 305
Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba
#5
I'm dead in the water, still looking for ya'

He stretched his muzzle out. The painted stag offered some form of comfort toward me as his breath spilled across my neck and gently moved my hair. Cautiously, I shuffled a few steps forward. Sure, I could feel the ground in front of me - but I had felt it there earlier. And, I had been certain it was there until it wasn’t. That, really, was the main part that I didn't agree with.

Midas asked if it was my first trip to this island. Uncertainly, I shuffled through everything in my mind. No. Not the first trip. I had been here before, that was for sure. I recognized the tree patch, vibrant with petals that seemed to be off in the distance. "I… I've come here before - but I wasn't alone. Alleo was there… I think we came up for a meeting. He warned me before the ground disappeared…" I let out a deep breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding for the few inches I covered to get closer to Midas as he explained just how I got up here.

A cloud? Of all things, I was sent up here on a cloud? I almost scoffed at the insanity of this whole thing before he asked if I wished to have an escort to our portion of the island. "Please, if it doesn't interfere with whatever you were doing before I screamed," I said, shifting to 'look' up toward him with the blind eyes that could never really lock in. "How… how have you been Midas? I know I've been sparse - but I will try to be here more as needed." I explain, slight concern on my face. I knew he was troubled with something - there had yet to be a time when I hadn't seen him troubled. After all, being a leader required so much weight to rest upon your shoulders that worries turned into a daily part of life. "Let me help as you need - leadership is always difficult if you don't have others to help…" I wasn't sure how he'd take that, but I had to place it out there. I knew I needed to offer…



Image Creds | Coding by Schwartze

Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say
Ascended Helovian

Midas the Gallant Posts: 1,164
Deceased
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 14.3 hh :: Immortal :: Soul is 7 (FF) Buff: HUNTER
Fina :: Common Zephyr :: Phoenix & Wakiya & Neve :: Common Zephyr :: Arctic Angel
#6

She reminds me of a meeting that seemed a distant memory. Seele had often called the herd on sky island...I find myself nodding before realizing that she couldn't see my silent agreement, thus making the expression pointless. "Ahhh," I murmured, my memory failed to remind me that Rasta had been among those that met here.

Stepping with direction toward yon clan tent, I smile a tender grin that she wouldn't see, "I was doing nothing of importance." Yar, say true, my herd would take priority. Rasta is kind enough to ask how my life was going, I'm silent for a moment. Thankful that she couldn't see fresh trouble brewing in my gilden gaze, rising openly past the mask of good will. Frostfall locked many of our kin away, I didn't fault her for being absent from view. She had her own life to manage; it was me who felt gratefully to even have some small part in it.

The weight of responsibility is heavy, now more than ever I felt the land looked to me with expectations. Not just at home, but the whole of Helovia. Yon gods were right to say many knew my name, knew the measure of my words, but rare few actually took time to understand the reasoning behind gentle smiles and a compassionate manner. "Aye, thee counsel is valued. I'll seek it should there come a time."

Rasta was one of the few who'd stuck with me this long. From the desert to a hidden valley, "I...thank ye. Thee loyalty and friendship is valued. It means much to me." Ktulu had asked me to pursue my own desires, she couldn't understand the reason I didn't chase dreams that could be let go. My place was in the service of others.


MIDAS & FINA
I'm waking up to ash and dust


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Rasta Posts: 305
Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba
#7
I'm dead in the water, still looking for ya'

A nod, I could feel the vibrations that his body gave off into the ground around me. I could feel his silent agreement, but he still offered a murmur of recognition. I ask that he assist, should he not be doing anything important. And, as he turns towards what I assumed was the tent he claimed that he was not.

I doubted this, I really did. But I would accept the words that fell from his lips if it made him feel better. So, as he began to move I followed, asking how he was doing. Silence was what was returned, and I figured it was because he did not wish to burden me with his troubles. Part of me wished he would, for I knew it could make him feel better - letting it off of his chest. Still, I tried to push forward a little bit, to let him know that I was there.

His voice wasn't as strong as it had been. "Yours is valued too, Midas. But this does not mean you must stand alone." I said, reaching out to press my maw against him around his shoulder. "I am glad I met you, but I can tell something must be bothering you. Your voice is a little different, there was a pause." I explain, ears flickering toward where he was as we came in closer and closer to the tent. "You cannot always be strong. And when you have to break… know I will be there for you as best I can,"

I could only hope that he would understand. I could only hope that the one who had been there for me, a strong leader since I had come here, would accept the comforting hand that I had for him. I knew what it was like to think you always had to be strong… and it broke you even more than when you allowed yourself time to shatter.

You see, I considered Midas a brother - and I would always be there for family, as I hoped they would always be there for me.





Image Creds | Coding by Schwartze

Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say
Ascended Helovian

Midas the Gallant Posts: 1,164
Deceased
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 14.3 hh :: Immortal :: Soul is 7 (FF) Buff: HUNTER
Fina :: Common Zephyr :: Phoenix & Wakiya & Neve :: Common Zephyr :: Arctic Angel
#8

The voice inside me was screaming to make an excuse and withdraw from this conversation. A tight knot whelped in the back of my throat, it constricted airflow and made my heart quicken with anxiety. Seele, she left me here. Alone. Granted it wasn't by choice, but the knowledge of circumstance didn't make her passing any less painful. I still hasn't wept.

Apparently those ears are as sharp as ever; I counter with a slice of what she sought, "My heart weighs heavy from recent murders," not false, but also a dodge of truth. She was sorely naive. This title forced me to stand alone and had for many years now. Abandoned, by those who disapproved of my choices in this life. Children, who desired to live apart from me. They all meant well, but at the end of the day...the weight was upon these shoulders and none could understand how this heart yearned for company, companionships. Things I'd forsaken.

I was an immortal, resolved to spend the remainder of Helovia's days as a lone wolf who would always be looking beyond the valley for the sake of others. A smile, bitter and with shallow aim. Once more thankful she didn't have eyes to see just how wounded and exposed I was to this foul game of life, "We shan't break easy." Our walk had turned into a march of forced memory, I didn't want to face the darkness that was spreading in my heart like a sickness. Denial. "Tis wise fear the repercussions though." Voice is soft, my heart remembered the scuffle between myself and our new sleuth. Power could kill. "Enough about me, Rasta -- how have ye faired? Where is Alleo?"


MIDAS & FINA
I'm waking up to ash and dust


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Rasta Posts: 305
Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba
#9
I'm dead in the water, still looking for ya'

Soft words for a broken heart. I myself had felt that way plenty of times before and I could only assume that he was going through something similar. Alas, he spoke of the murders - the murders that I hadn't even realized had happened. The murders that I had been… away in a cave during. I shook my head. "The murders have been horrible," I said, letting out a small puff of air.

I couldn't believe how quickly the world had fallen apart when I was stuck in that cave. We continued walking, slow and steady, and allowed the conversation to flow as was necessary. I could feel the weak smile that pulled at his muscles before he said that we wouldn't break easily. True. So very true.

The conversation shifts back to me, though, as he asks how I had faired. I shuffled my weight, awkwardly pausing before turning to look at him. "I… uh. I got lost a while back, on my way from the Throat. I'm not sure how long I was missing - but I didn't know about the murders until the other day," I shuffled again, still awkward. Yes. Avoid the tricky details. Don't make him concerned (as everyone else had been). "Alleo is in the Falls, doing his patrols. I've been letting him know where I've been going so that if I didn't return by nightfall he knew where to look," A gentle smile, blind gaze shifting back to the ground that I still couldn't believe was beneath me. "He's concerned… and I'm just glad that I have someone who cares - it's not something I've really had before,"

At least, I didn't think it was something that I'd ever had before. Perhaps I had and just… never knew it.




Image Creds | Coding by Schwartze

Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say
Ascended Helovian

Midas the Gallant Posts: 1,164
Deceased
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 14.3 hh :: Immortal :: Soul is 7 (FF) Buff: HUNTER
Fina :: Common Zephyr :: Phoenix & Wakiya & Neve :: Common Zephyr :: Arctic Angel
#10

Lost? Yar, somehow I seriously doubted this to be the full truth. Not when the girl seemed at ease maneuvering all manner of terrain alone, without vision or a companion to stand in place of the disability. Tis not my nature to question, or press for information that wasn't to be readily given. Thus, the nature of her absence and all information related to it is taken at face value.

She mentions Alleo on patrol, doing his part for our home. Obviously the fellow was concerned, weren't they mated? It felt prying to ask, so I didn't. Its easier to hold onto soft silence, then puzzle over relationships. A second later another horrible shiver races down my spine, Rasta speaks of having someone around that cared. Seele had said something similar, she wanted the same, "Aye," whispered, as if the sound itself was pulled from my soul by the tail. "Ye has family," I keep my face pointed away, even though she couldn't see the pain or shadowing grief...tis forced habit. "A gem worth protecting." Even in the desert she'd always been loyal, kind -- trusting. A worthy woman to pursue, though my mind had never given it consideration.

"Why did ye follow me, when we left the caves?" A seemingly random question. If she could've peered into my mind, seen the throbbing darkness, it would've made perfect sense. I ask then fall silent, waiting patiently for a reply that would or wouldn't come. Who knew why I thought this snippet of information was worth digging up.


MIDAS & FINA
I'm waking up to ash and dust


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Rasta Posts: 305
Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba
#11
I'm dead in the water, still looking for ya'

He says that I have a family, something worth protecting and I cannot help but to smile. It was true, and I was glad. After all the toils I had been through I wasn't sure if I'd ever have gotten the chance at another family. But it seemed that the Gods were in my favor, for I had a few others who had cared about me.

Alas, the conversation shifted to the caves and I turned, to move in a little closer to the stag who was asking. "I trusted you - not to lead us into oblivion. I didn't quite know what was going on, but I also knew I couldn't exactly call the Throat a home. I felt… strange. Everyone seemed to have wings, and I was… too different for it. It was only coming here, seeing these lands that I realized how much I had missed the consistent flow of waters and lush grasses much like my old home," I explained before glancing back at him. "But, either way I would have stayed with you because I consider you family. And, because I consider you family I wanted to make sure you had someone as you'd been there for me."

Yes. He was family, that was the main reason I had followed. All the others? They just only confirmed my belief that I should have gone with him. Because it had turned out to be so, so very good. So very right. And I was so glad that I was finally finding something that felt right.




Image Creds | Coding by Schwartze

Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say
Ascended Helovian

Midas the Gallant Posts: 1,164
Deceased
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 14.3 hh :: Immortal :: Soul is 7 (FF) Buff: HUNTER
Fina :: Common Zephyr :: Phoenix & Wakiya & Neve :: Common Zephyr :: Arctic Angel
#12

Trust. I feel unworthy of her or anyone else who claims to trust my judgment, my intentions. Nar, they believed me better than the evil surrounding our home...but the truth was I'm a poor example to follow. A failed parent and mate. What man had the right to be called Ascended when he'd given away the most precious of prizes. (Though the result had never been my intention.)

Regardless of my back sliding, personal pondering, Rasta is able to find compassion for me. Continuing to call me a brother. Family. A word that meant a great deal to me...Yar, I smiled, the fragile expression is hard won. "I hope to be continually worthy of this family." My face darkens and eyes filter through the grimy pain she'd never see, "Since I've failed others..." A quiet omission, grief for Seele, for Cera and the grandcolt that was growing old on the far side of this world.

I'd thought to visit my children... many times even struck out with every intention to see them. Nar. Something always stopped me from trailing close to that realm of sand and sun. Perhaps it was my guilt, or the disappointed glares from my son and uneasy glances from a daughter. I hardly knew what to say to their reserved manner...The prodigy I'd seen into adulthood had become cool and distant.

It hurt to think of him...those unyielding gems which used to be full of light, love, a desire to learn. A shadow had consumed them, one that I'd lost the battle too the moment we'd laid eyes on each other. Even now, I loved him and forever would.



MIDAS & FINA
I'm waking up to ash and dust


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Rasta Posts: 305
Hidden Account atk: 7 | def: 10 | dam: 3
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1hh :: six (ages in Tallsun) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Ettore :: Red-Tailed Hawk :: None Abba
#13
I'm dead in the water, still looking for ya'

I feel is muscles twitch around his face in what I assumed to be a smile. He claims that he hopes to be continually worthy, saying that he has failed others and I can feel my back bristle. I can only flicker my unseeing gaze toward him, reaching out to offer some kind of comfort if he was wandering through painful ideals. "You cannot help all," I tried to remind him, yet somehow I knew that it probably wouldn't help him.

Alas, as we kept moving I could feel the flapping of tents in the gentle breeze that surrounded us - I could even hear the cloth as it fought against the breeze, begging to hang still. In awe, I pushed forward and slid back into the arena that was before it. Carefully, I allowed my hooves to sink into the sand before peering back over toward him. "Thank you, Midas. For all that you have done, for all that you have tried to be." I say, allowing gratitude to completely lace my tone. A gentle puff of air escapes my lungs for a second as I try to figure out what I should explore first. Alas, I'm not quite sure, and since all I can really focus on is the tent I begin to edge I that direction. First, though, I turn back to Midas and allow a few more words to slide from my maw. "You don't need to stay around and watch the blind mare explore. I should be fine now. Please, don't let me hold you up," I explained before disappearing into the tent to see what all was there.


Thread done?



Image Creds | Coding by Schwartze

Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say
Ascended Helovian

Midas the Gallant Posts: 1,164
Deceased
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 14.3 hh :: Immortal :: Soul is 7 (FF) Buff: HUNTER
Fina :: Common Zephyr :: Phoenix & Wakiya & Neve :: Common Zephyr :: Arctic Angel
#14

Nar, she was correct to say I couldn't help them all; but shouldn't my efforts have bore fruit from those I'd poured myself into the most? It seemed almost safer to keep friends at a length; closeness only opened the door for pain. Friends/comrades didn't end up hating me later. Usually those slots of despise were reserved for the closest of family. In an attempt to shield myself and others, there is always a purposeful veil of reserve that came instinctively over the years. Crown shook itself, clearing my mind from its own drowning negativity. There is nothing else that passes between us, my gaze wanders to the grouping of clans. Our fluttering tent and the small but steady waterfall that soaks its surrounding stones.

My sister and friend offers well-meant praise; tis truth and sincerity that rings in her tone. Though I receive it, and despite the good intent...those words are hollow, flat to a set of ears that would rather receive confirmation of my shortcomings...not hope of a future that would be blessed with more grateful hearts such as hers. Hearts that are fickle, that lose their trust.

How long before she cursed my name? Retracts those kind words and set in their place a gospel of venom? Rasta bids me away, dismissing my attention so we could both travel elsewhere. My crown dips respectfully, the mask of formality and gentleness firmly intact, "Long days and pleasant nights," I murmur softly. Turning without further words to hobble our farewells or a glance in reverse when the pale lass pushes past the fabric to yon door.

Alone again.

OOC: Sounds good to me :') Midas out


MIDAS & FINA
I'm waking up to ash and dust


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