Duty [New Edge Leads Competition]

the Rift

[OPEN] Duty [New Edge Leads Competition]

Torleik the Bloodskald Posts: 354

Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 8.0 | dam: 7.5

Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.3 :: 11 HP: 66.5 | Buff: SWIFT

Irelyn :: Plain Griffin :: Molten Dagger RedGod

#12

04-21-2015, 12:05 PM

I hold you in like a deep breath

His mental conversation with Ophelia had its ebbs and flows. Torleik, astute, could feel when she momentarily left his headspace to curiously peer elsewhere, and it only took a few other...contenders for him to realize she was looking into their minds. Or, well, that was what he supposed.

Because to think she was merely leaving out of boredom or inability to handle their exchange hurt too much. Assuming she was raiding other minds was a much better option. So, despite his desire to not listen to others grovel or boast, the Bloodskald found himself hearing out speech after speech, and with every new delivery, the rage that usually sat so frozen beneath his frigidly applied desire to be a good man stirred, cracking the surface and beginning to steam through.

The very next child was demeaning his mention of war, as if putting another down would make him a more attractive candidate for lead. Torleik was no diplomat, but that was a fast way to make others angry, and a self-absorbed, immature delivery to boot. One whom Torleik had targeted during the invasion spoke next, claiming he could be firm but gentle. His eyes narrowed. Placing a conquered person in a seat of leadership practically begged for a later uprising unless the situation managed to be handled with the utmost of care - and that was an almost unheard of success in the world.

Still, the large one at least spoke sensibly. For the most part. Rostislav, the next female who spoke claimed his name was. She said words that did not offend, but that felt...bland, to the Bloodskald. He assumed others had judged his entry and thus felt no qualms in formulating his own opinions about everyone else. Still, he did not get overwhelming pride from this one, and she remained on his list of acceptable participants.

The next two most certainly were not. A haughty bitch of a mare claimed she had the right to lead because of...what? Her blood? Her genetics? Torleik turned, facing her, his frosty gaze practically sub-zero with the judgement and revulsion he felt inside at this...childish display.

Then the male spoke and Torleik's temper could take no more. But wisdom held his tongue fast for a better moment than an explosion in the midst of the boy's speech, for to do so would surely damage his image - and he was not a fool. He should not paint himself one. Another went after this Cathun, this whelp who claimed that his blood alone made him worthy.

Pathetic.

Blood meant nothing.

Nobility, nothing.

Lineage, nothing. Not when it came down to judging you as a man, as worthy, as successful.

A mare followed this display off utter ass but Torleik barely heard her, caught up as he was in his irritation, and the advent of a figure that set him even further on edge. "Mauja," he muttered under his breath, inaudible over the current speaker's words. Every sinew in his body wished to go to Ophelia's side, make sure there was no room for the white bastard to touch her, be near her - but that would be showing his faults and his weakness, and he could not afford that now, nor did he wish to let Polkadot know how much he got under his skin, even in calmer times.

Perhaps the warrior was more of a diplomat than he knew. Bolverik might have rubbed off on him more than Torleik had desired to absorb.

Surprise colored the dark, shadow-swirled canvas of his heart when the Frostheart came alongside Kahlua, not Ophelia, and ran his muzzle alongside her hip. What? What was this? Confusion muddied whatever colors were left and now Torleik simply watched, wondering, amazed at this new development. He had missed Polkadot's arrival in the battle, hadn't the slightest clue Ophelia had been the one to invite him (oh the betrayal he would feel), and for now, given what he'd seen, his heart foolishly surmised that it was Kahlua that precipitated his arrival.

Then Mauja spoke, and with every sentence, the Bloodskald felt dark humor bubbling up within him, the amused grin that he wanted to reveal brazenly for everyone to see only quirking his scarred, charcoal lips slightly. Still - this was beautiful. Poorly delivered in the insult department, but it was a damn beautiful sight to hear someone say what needed to be said. A strange mixture of relief and shame darkened the flowing waters of his soul, knowing that Mauja had the stones to say what the Basin General burned to say...but sometimes bravery was foolish, and words were meant to be held back.

To accomplish what he desired, he could not spout off at the mouth, no matter how much he wished to put these insolent little mewling children in their place - mostly just those two, the dragon bitch and the blood male. But he tempered his anger with the knowledge that it would be entirely possible he might end up ruling right alongside one of those very two, and he would have to make it work. Taking a deep breath, Torleik let his mind wander to the seas of home, the crashing shore, the mountains and frost of home, and his soul became placid once more.

Which was all undone the moment Polkadot said he was the most worthy candidate here - in a roundabout fashion.

Dumbfounded, he stared at the large male, brows furrowed, eyes asking, "Why?" What purpose did this suit? Was there truth in his statement, or was this just another move in a grand game of chess? Whatever the reason, Torleik felt compelled to support his (apparent) ally in this moment, though his hooves were rather tied. He had spoken his piece and had not yet been asked to defend his merit. Speaking out of turn was not how he should behave. So, for what it was worth, the rabicano met the Frostheart's eyes and gave him a respectful nod.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Sorry, simply could not contain Torleik muse. Oh Mauja. :P

"talk talk talk"