the Rift


[OPEN] Promised return (Leads, Lead Healer)
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
#1
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My skin crawls from beneath fur, anticipation of a change that became no more familiar or easier to witness...those soft eyes disappear beneath their veil. I stiffen, ears trace the line of my skull, already sampling those expected sounds born from a memory of them. Yar, I'd never get used to the groan and snap of bone literally bending, breaking -- I waited, dreading, unable to shut my ears off. Silas awoke with a start, glancing toward us and his bonded with a dim stare. His starlit wings flutter apart and their flashing, glittery hue drew my attention momentarily from predicted discomfort. Lids flicker shut, blinking a single time -- they fell across my gaze for less than a fraction of a second.

Her deed was done.

I stared at them, jaw falling slightly ajar -- words stilled in my mind. Ah, a small grin formed in the wake of realization. Those old legends hold true -- time magic...or else, Africa had suddenly gotten efficient and mercifully silent amid transformation. Her feathered frame silently flutters upon my spine. Tiny talons woven into hair, locking the girl with a hold stronger than iron. The addition is barely noticed, she hardly weighted little more than a Pegasus feather. Neve chirped merely, delighted by the notion of this new traveling companion. "Ail," she chortled aloud, greeting Africa in the old tongue. I glanced to the ground, where her leafy satchel remained. Muzzle dropped, teeth slide close around the supple leather bindings. Pinions withdrew from their sheath, "Ha-nng on," vocals vibrated between clinched molars.

Fina scowled as Silas launched himself to an early lead, she hoisted herself up and away, swift to the purpose of overtaking yon midnight colored avian.

Forefeet dug into the ground, leading my frame into motion. Crown pitched up and with a few mighty heaves, earth was left behind, a slight cloud of golden dust in our wake. Though once airborne, my bumpy take off would likely fade into memory. For who else could tame heaven more gracefully than us?

A prideful statement?

Perhaps...

Feathers catch the wind, bending fluidly, greeting the golden hues of rebirth and the rising sun with even thrusts. Speedily I chase the updrafts and thermals, hastening our journey. Neve settled herself in for an extended nap. She would later join her sister in the sky, but not before snagging a few mindless hours of sleep. Ahead, Fina raced on, seemingly tireless; easily outpacing even the most spurred wingbeats. Foolish pride would keep her airborne...at least until Silas took a rest.

______

By late midday we'd arrived.

Neve soared above, having spent most of our journey nestled away and thus had energy aplenty to spare. I was travelworn, though not nearly as weary as a certain Phoenix who'd lost her early lead when tiring pinions finally gave wisdom via aching pain for the girl to rest. She snoozed quietly, with her head nestled comfortably inside one flaming wing.

With care and a practiced eye, we took to the ground well away from their border. A respect owed even toward our allies and closest kin. Forelimbs extend, mating with their springy turf. Feathers shut halfway, allowing my frame to drop gracefully. They slip apart a moment later, extending to stretch those used muscles to prevent soreness later. Fina was jostled awake upon landing, aqua eyes are murky for only a moment before sharping with awareness. Jaws released their hold on the brown bag. Allowing it to fall with a muffled thump. My mouth was dry and tongue felt sticky against a roof long coated with thirst. Maybe Edge would invite us to linger a night.

OOC: This is set before the flood and the Moon reveal. Sorry for the wonky liquid time thing :/....hope it won't be a problem. Never mind...

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OOC: Africa has granted Midas permission for any power play noted. She has the same for Africa.
@[Africa]
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Archibald the Dauntless Posts: 386
Absent Abyss atk: 6.0 | def: 9.5 | dam: 8
Stallion :: Equine :: 18.3 hh :: 10 years HP: 80 | Buff: SHIELD
Loretta :: Alaskan Malamute :: Time Slip Time
#2

After the meeting came to a close, Archibald moved quickly. He moved to Ktulu's side, moving her away from the meeting, away from their herd, away from the flash of white and black spots he had seen in the treeline. Her promotion was needed, for their herd needed strength, but now was not a time of formality. Archibald and Ktulu were two souls molded together with an unbreakable bond, and they had both lost something deep in light of the recent toyings of the Moon Goddess, and the pair needed to be together. "Ktulu, what can I do?" His question was simple as he escorted her through the forest. The sun set and covered the land in darkness before they finally settled.

Take me to Ophelia. In the meadow.

In the morning.

The pair had bedded for the night, but the Dauntless was restless at the Constrictor's side. He wanted to take her to her twin, her sister, her wombmate and give stimulation to the healing that would happen, but it would not be wise for them to travel in such darkness...when the Goddess reigned supreme. Instead, Archibald tucked Ktulu into his chest and rested his chin on her shoulder, holding her tight despite his sleepless state. The sun began to wash over their forest once more, the fog ebbing away in the height of Tallsun, and Archibald stirred first. It was midday before Archibald spoke to Ktulu. "Let us find Ophelia." He said gently, and turned to move towards the border. Loretta bound ahead, barking for Eytan to follow her.

Flashes of black and white and gold filled Archibald's mind as Loretta threw fast images of the figure on the border. "Someone is here...and I know who it is." Archibald's voice was hard as he moved into a trot, breaking the treeline and staring Midas down. The Dauntless stopped and moved, blocking Ktulu some, ears wanted to pin and his face wanting to contort. This man, the father of Ktulu's daughter had done nothing as he watched Hototo die. It sickened the inky beast, but as he moved to shield Ktulu--to protect her from the emotional hurt of Midas, or from the physical pain she would unleash on the monochrome and gold stallion none knew for sure--he spoke.

"What brings you to our borders on such a day, Czar?"


Permission given to PP Ktulu from ali



Through the ages of time
I've been known for my hate,
but I'm a dealer of simple choices;
for me it's never too late.


please tag me

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
#3



Ktulu had hoped she'd managed to slip away from the herd meeting without being seen, but she should have known that the ever observant Archibald would see her. Her only goal was to make it to the meadow where Ophelia was waiting for her as quickly as she could, but sooner than she expected Archibald was by her side, shepherding her away from everything. "Take me to Ophelia. In the meadow." She replied when he asked what he could do. She wanted to tell him that there was nothing he could do but she knew Archibald well enough to know that he wouldn't accept that for an answer. She sighed at his response and almost tried to argue against waiting until the morning, but what was the point? "Fine." She murmured instead.

The darkness became thicker and seemed to hang over the forest like a blanket, thick and uncomfortable, a constant reminder of the dark Goddess and her even darker ways. It made Ktulu want to scream, made her skin crawl, but it was soothed a bit when Archibald tucked her against his chest. He was warmth, strenght, comfort, everything she needed right at that moment. She leaned against him, curved her neck so her cheek rested against the stallion's chest, and she cried until exhaustion overtook her and she finally fell asleep.

"Let us find Ophelia."

She was roused to conciousness by Archibald's voice and from the mental prodding of Eytan as he bounded off after Archibald's companion. Ktulu blinked, lowered her head to rub her face against her foreleg then turned to Archibald. "Thank you." She said quietly only for Archibald to announce seconds later that there was someone there with them. Ktulu trailed after Archibald and froze when she broke through the treeline and saw Midas. Unlike Archibald's, her ears pinned back against her head and her gaze turned cold and unforgiving. She did not miss the way that Archibald positioned himself between her and the Czar, no doubt to offer protection to the both of them.

Ktulu had tried to forget their last encounter and the way he had distanced himself from her when she had tried to be open and honest with him. She had tried to pretend that she didn't care that he had danced around her questions and offered her no explanation to anything and, essentially, dismissed her when he tired of her. But she couldn't anymore. She couldn't pretend that nothing bothered her when she felt like her entire world was collapsing around her. "What do you want?" She echoed Archibald, unable to capture the civility that he held.
"."




Icon by Tay

Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
Deceased
Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE
Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc Riven
#4
Africa spared not even one second to sleep through their journey west. She was excited, eager to meet with Resplendence again – to hand over the plant-matter she had gathered and perhaps to learn whatever the Edge mare would be willing to teach. They had not set eyes upon one another since the season of growth, when Cheska had agreed to meet both World’s Edge and Hidden Falls before selecting her choice between their homes. There were others too, Nasreen who the one-winged had kept a cherry blossom for, intending to have it crystallised and sewn onto a chain (it had been discarded however, flowers apparently kept poorly in bags), and Thor too, whom she was yet to thank for assisting Rasta and herself in the Threshold weeks prior.

Midas swooped towards the lush emerald forest lining most of the coastline and giddiness lifted her heart. Before the jolt of his landing – hooves finding traction upon earth – the stocky parrot lifted her wings and ascended to make landfall beside him. Silas dipped lower, eager to rest, and assisted her transformation by slowing life’s pace around them. It was a thought turned by then into habit, and Africa was ever grateful that the revelation of their magic combined had come to light – not seconds later, she was standing across four legs by the flank of her partner.

Nose dipped low to the ground to retrieve the satchel which had been dropped, and as she lifted her chiselled skull once again it grazed both the breast of the stallion, and rigid throat along the way – flame licking harmlessly about him throughout the affectionate gesture. There was no time for the exchange of words however, and Africa’s pale, sandy eyes watched curiously as two dark figures emerged through the trees to meet them. Long ears twitched forward, and a smile rose quickly through her feminine expression.

The enormous stallion greeted them cordially enough – she thought – but the presence of the Unicorn mare unsettled her deeply. There was hostility wrought through her posture, so intimidating that the one-winged shrank a little from the Czar’s position – instinct perhaps, she was unfit and unwieldy, no match should aggression arise. Africa had never met Ktulu the Constrictor (not either the wall of stallion who stood between). Silas by then had come to rest on the padded rump of his beloved, and he watched the strangers silently, wariness glinting in his violet eyes.

Image | Table by Silk
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
#5
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Africa was quick to move beside me, flaming crown lowered to snatch up that leathery satchel. I glance her way with a wordless smile and joylit eyes; relived that our journey had gone so smoothly. The two shadows that come from that distant timber are welcomed with a wider grin; yar, at least until my gaze caught hold of Ktulu. I froze, as a rabbit caught in the middle of a field, with a fox only inches away. The chilling expression she wore was expected from a grieving parent.

Yar, what wasn't predicable was how my heart within breast seized painfully, destroying a previously bright expression, fading, dying in cold ash. Fina hisses sadly and narrows her eyes upon the two approaching forms, the flames on her spine dance higher -- matching the pace of my heart.

Attention shifts to the mighty draft who stands between us, though the echo of her voice is unmistakable. Sorrow, my own rooted grief is a pale reflection for her loss and the misfortune of a mother forced to bury a child. Silence holds my throat. I drop these eyes to the feathering upon Archibald's feet. My chest feels ready to explode...tis then I realize the breath I'd been holding is trapped. Jaws give way, "We bring herb from the Fall's...and our Medic. Africa" Flat, strained. Gaze slowly drifts up, the depth is a mask of pain and distorted emotion. "For thee family...as agreed upon."

I shift dumbly to Ktulu and find no words of comfort, though I desperately wanted to give her something. So she would know that I'd loved her son with the same fire as any babe of flesh and blood. All I can do is stare, fixated. Unable to move, hardly able to draw breath. "Ktulu..." The word comes forth as a rasp, like a fish dying upon its shoreline -- inches from salvation, its little mouth flapping open and shut. Glazed eyes awash with slow pain that was never ending. There was nothing to be said that she'd receive, nothing to be done. So I chose the only option that seemed avalible. Drowning.

I want to turn and run from this...for the first time in my life.

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Word count: 371
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Resplendence Posts: 466
Hidden Account atk: 4.5 | def: 8 | dam: 5.5
Mare :: Equine :: 14.1 hh :: eight (ages in frostfall) HP: 62 | Buff: NOVICE
Valiance :: Common Red Dragon :: Fire Breath Abba
#6
There was noise along the border. Not a lot, but it was there. Usually, Resplendence would just stay in her canopy cave, but today her pregnant body was becoming restless. Bed rest had been a viable option, but staring at the trees - at the same billowing canopy - it was beginning to hit a very mundane stage. So, with Valiance ushering her toward the border, wings casting a shadow over her glittering (and very pregnant) frame, she waddled her way towards where the noise was emerging from.

She pulled up behind Archibald - a low shine being cast from the glitter that radiated off of her coat. You see, she was partially comfortable around him now, but it was drastically dimmed by Ktulu and the others who were not from her herd. She respected Midas, and was glad to see that Africa had also joined the art of healing that was so dear to the Doctor's heart.

Resplendence offered a gentle bow, eyes flickering between the two of the Edge who stood beside her as she arrived just in time for Midas to explain what he was doing. Herbs? Instantly her audit perked up and Valiance landed in front of the bag which he had dropped, front talons opening it as Res stood in anticipation. Though, out of respect for the pair he did not touch anything inside of the container - merely held it open. "Thank you," Resplendence says with a smile, voice by far the quietest of the group.

"If you wish to come back to my garden I can swap yours with a few herbs that grow naturally upon our soil," she explains, voice still low. Yet, it wasn't holding the same stuttering quality it usually did. Perhaps because it was about herbs (the one thing she was confident in) or perhaps it was because she felt safe inside the borders. Either way, she was slowly becoming stronger - more confident - and that made Valiance proud.


Image by Mockingale
Table by Moonstone Designs
When I'm ready to fall
You're the one always holding me up
With love

Archibald the Dauntless Posts: 386
Absent Abyss atk: 6.0 | def: 9.5 | dam: 8
Stallion :: Equine :: 18.3 hh :: 10 years HP: 80 | Buff: SHIELD
Loretta :: Alaskan Malamute :: Time Slip Time
#7

Archibald stood still in his protective stance before Ktulu, his head held high and his golden eyes looking down on Midas. Anger bubbled in his chest, directed at the paint and his actions--or lack thereof for a better term--and he wanted to leave. However, his leadership called otherwise, and thus he stood. As the pair from the Falls gave their reasoning Archibald gave a nod. "A healer will come soon," He looked over his shoulder into the forest, trying to see if the familiar forms of Resplendence or Alysanne were coming this way as he spoke.

They were not, and so Archibald turned to look once more at their visitors. Loretta shifted uncomfortably at Archibald's heels and looked at the three zephyrs that adorned the bonds of the Falls pegasi. Her amber eyes narrowed some and she took a step closer to Archibald, pressing her shoulder into his knee. "Ktulu and I were just on our way out on patrol, so when a healer arrives we must take our leave." He was not lying through his teeth, but he was not revealing the whole truth either. The pair were on their way out of the Edge, but it was to reunited the bloodstained mare with her equally as bloodstained twin for comfort and mourning. Ktulu needed to find healing in the wake of her son's death, something Midas had seemed he was not willing to aid in, and Archibald gave her all of his permission to be with Ophelia.

After he spoke, Resplendence broke the treeline. Relief flooded the king's chest for a moment and he turned to give her a solid nod. "Resplendence will help you from here on out." He nodded to Midas and Africa then and took a few steps forward. "Should you need me, send Valiance." His voice was hard as he looked over his shoulder to speak to Resplendence again, giving her a nod to boost her confidence once more before urging Ktulu to follow him with a flick of his tail before he moved away from the trio.

[Archibald outtttt]



Through the ages of time
I've been known for my hate,
but I'm a dealer of simple choices;
for me it's never too late.


please tag me

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
#8



Crimson flickered to the newcomer, narrowing and glaring with the same hostility that she had greeted Midas with. The grey mare with the flaming hair held her cold gaze for only a moment but it was enough time for Ktulu to pick up on her discomfort. Under any other circumstance Ktulu would have tried to make Midas and the Falls medic feel comfortable, but she could not. She could not make them feel comfortable when all she wanted to do was let loose her own murderous rage and vengeance. Couple that with the anger she felt toward Midas and it made for a dangerous cocktail with explosive potential.

She listened as Midas' strained voice as he answered Archibald's question. The Constrictor snorted and stamped a hoof into the dirt, her tail flicking in growing irritation. When he finally looked to her she stared back, waiting for him to answer her question about what he wanted but the only thing he could do was choke out her name. Anger flared white-hot in Ktulu's chest and she snorted again as she moved so Archibald was not standing directly in her path.What had she expected from him? For him to actually say something that mattered? He had danced around every question she asked when she'd seen him in the Heavenly Fields, been distant, and he had been there when Hototo had died. He was there and he'd done nothing just like his god.

Her head turned as Resplendence arrived and spoke to the pair. Archibald's voice came next, excusing the both of them from the gathering, which was a good idea because Ktulu's grip on her self control was slipping the longer she stood face to face with Midas. As Archibald turned to leave she trailed several paces behind him, but she paused and looked once more at the Czar of the Falls. "Never speak to me." She said coldly. "And never let my name cross your lips ever again." With that said she disappeared into the forest, leaving Resplendence to deal with Midas and Africa.

"."




Icon by Tay

Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
Deceased
Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE
Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc Riven
#9
Tension strained the air and the one-winged mare grew all the more uncomfortable as chillingly antagonistic eyes found her. She was aware that the union between Ktulu and Midas had ended somewhat bitterly, caused the heart of the stallion to shatter into one thousand pieces. She knew also of the recent illness which had consumed both his thoughts and his health; sorrowful, painful mourning too, for the child born to the crimson eyed mare and Earth, who had been accepted as one of his own. Africa would never have presumed to understand their apparently cold relationship, and though she let a bland veil fall across her fraught expression, melancholy seized her compassionate soul.

The heavy, intimidating black stallion who no longer divided the group with his body, confirmed with only a nod that a healer would soon meet them and that he and the angry Unicorn would in turn take their leave. Africa could barely withhold her relief at the news, but for the sake of seemingly frail negotiations she rolled her shoulders visibly to mask the feeling, and grazed a closed eye by her knee. Though he (in particular) had showed them no forward enmity, the dappled Medic wished not to find the duo’s company again soon – she was fearful, felt horribly insecure and troubled too, by the frosty reception their gesture had been given.

She did not remember World’s Edge harbouring such hatred – vague memory of the benevolent mare, Hellena; of Smoke the Wild Rose and the blue Dragon who had comforted Silas. They had offered freely, only kindness and care...

There was a sound behind the unfriendly pair, and Africa welcomed Resplendence’s distraction with a fond snort and face lifted quickly, high into the air. The lone wing clenched warily against her sweating flank prickled and the feathers dressing it ruffled with eager anticipation; though she tried to conceal her impatience, the flaming mare could hardly wait to be rid of the un-welcoming party. Archibald offered them a few final words, hard like she might have expected from an enemy patrol, rather than neutral as was the affiliation they shared. The savage looking mare paused a moment longer as she passed by Midas, and the note of her voice – the message plain and clear – struck the one-winged like a knife through the heart.

As they vanished through the skirting forest, Africa touched a caring nose to the black and white stallion’s shoulder. She could not ease the burden written through his posture, could not take it away... long smoky ears pitched forward suddenly, but the idea was quickly repressed however; set aside for a time down the track.

To her delight, unbridled at last, Resplendence offered nothing of the same hostility. Warmth returned to her expression and she stepped nearer to the bag (which had been opened by the shining red dragon in the pale mare’s company. “Go ahead,” she encouraged quietly, dipping her nose as though to invite his inspection. She was not much of a herbalist – not in comparison to this renown mare – and the green mass of foliage within suggested a selection primarily of grass, leaves plucked from ground-crawling plants, and a smaller amount of the finest herbs the Falls had to offer. Oblivious, Africa was thrilled to deliver the gift.

The other mare offered to take them deeper – another sign that not all had been so terribly tarnished like their previous company – and the flaming mare nodded buoyantly, accepting her hospitality politely on behalf of her hurting mate.

Image | Table by Silk

@[Midas] & @[Resplendence]
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
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What could I say that would've offered salvation? There were no words she'd receive from me. I knew this, she knew this. Archibald speaks formally and without ceremony, my gaze flicks to him solidly -- as if he was hollow, as if the stare could somehow penetrate his flesh and see through to the other side. His words are heard, registered, numbly my crown nods its understanding. (Even if the mind is elsewhere, the flesh would still attempt to act normal.) As if on cue, or by the mercy of Earth, a Medic arrives to greet us. Her dragon captures the interest of my eldest companion, those bright predator orbs widen with hidden delight.

Africa stirs at my shoulder, I start, flinching as if she'd surprised me; and indeed the quiet lass had. My gaze shifts a side glance to her; dazed a little -- wordless I turn to look at Ktulu and those cold eyes as she breaks off to follow the mighty warlord. A frantic question races though the front of my mind. Did she somehow blame me? My answer comes in the form of a hiss as she all but bares those aged molars and snarles for me to never speak her way again. I stiffen, the rigid line of my jaw turns tense -- her grief was evident, but what good was shredding the remainder of decency between us? I'd been as honest as able the last time we'd spoke... Now these gems harden angrily, but my words are wisely locked behind iron bars. I remind myself that the crimson woman is hurt beyond measure and thus understandably cruel. Understood. Aye.

The world moves on.

Coldly they move on. Africa brightens visibly, (who could blame her) my face only darkens with unvocalized sadness. We shuffle for a 'garden,' I follow complacently, hanging behind. Purposely holding back, giving breath for Africa and the strawberry hued healer room to discuss while my heart nursed these new afflictions and found some semblance of relief through feeling totally numb.

Those demons swirl above, circling overhead and smiling their wicked little grins.
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Word count: 349
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