Savages! Savages! [HERD MEETING]

the Rift

Savages! Savages! [HERD MEETING]

Ascended Helovian

Gaucho The Wildfire Posts: 1,004

Deceased atk: 8.5 | def: 11.5 | dam: 8

Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2 :: 12 HP: 85 | Buff: PINNACLE

Mara :: Black Mamba Snake :: Paralyze & Vorsa :: Plain Zephyr :: Phoenix Odd

#17

09-19-2015, 10:21 PM (This post was last modified: 09-19-2015, 10:22 PM by Gaucho.)

With fire to keep us warm, and tools we made from rocks and bones

Gaucho had ... been busy with other things. After the encounter with the Moon Goddess, the Wildfire had some soul-searching to do. He had watched how Cera had jumped in front of him to offer protection, how Aithniel had thrown hot fire at a God, and how Ampere's concern had not been for the safety of the herd, but for one particular individual. Mesec. But perhaps more importantly, he had watched how Archibald, Ktulu, even Ophelia had stood defiantly against the Goddess. At the time, he had thought them foolish. But the dun held Ophelia in high enough regards as to reconsider his motives - and theirs - after the battle.

In a moment of deep prayer, when the Sultan was searching the skies for their deity, it came to him.

Power. But not like the sort that he already possessed. The flames on his wings - the fire he could throw and contort - could sustain life now, just as easily as it could kill. Gaucho could heal.

And so, it was from that place of darkness that the Sultan rose like the phoenix who followed him dutifully. The Sun might have been absent, but they were not abandoned.

Tallest among them, save for Einarr, Gaucho landed in his usually shockingly graceful manner, next to Meg. the meeting had clearly already begun, but Gaucho was not concerned. Many had doubted his decision to promote Meg, but he never had. In her capable hooves, much had been accomplished, and although when he arrived hackles appeared raised - as did voices - he had no doubt that she was in control.

As he settled, he heard Laedere - the mare whose vocabulary left his head spitting and suggesting a nap - describing a turn of events, presumably between herself and Ampere. At least, given how often she mentioned companion and slavery, that was likely it. From those who were prominent in this discussion - Ampere (obviously) and also Einarr - the Wildfire also surmised that the warden was somehow involved.

But why?

For now it didn't matter. But there was one question that did. Although he hadn't heard what Einarr had said about his loss of respect for Ampere, or how she valued her own convictions over the safety of the herd, Gaucho's query would pierce to the heart of it. (Perhaps that was unsurprising, given that Einarr and Gaucho were raised in similar circumstances)

"Ampere." His voice was not loud, but nor could it be ignored. Perhaps it was the way his entire body seemed to hone in precisely on the black and blue mare, or that way his stare took its time raising to meet hers. In truth, this was not done for dramatic effect. It was the first time he had addressed her - looked deeply into her eyes - since ... well, for a while. But he was in Sultan-mode now, and not even his feelings for Ampere, however tattered and trampled they might have been - could stand in his way of protecting his herd. And perhaps it was for the best - perhaps the Sun's influence in his mind had come at precisely the right time. To remind him that his love and fealty to his family necessarily had to eclipse his feelings for Ampere.

But now he needed to know that she felt the same.
"If member of Throat have companion - new baby companion, just out of egg-" He began, trying to make the set up of his story as close to the scenarios of bondage that Ampere seemed to always be shouting about. "-and they in danger. Would you save them? Would you give your life, to save mel azzafrok?" He didn't care if she understood his native tongue - the way he spat the words, as if they were something dirty, would likely communicate his meaning.

If she said she would, then all would be well. Ampere could continue on her companion crusade, so long as family came first. If she said no?

Well, then they would finally see if the gulf that Gaucho's second companion had put between them would be permanently widened.

mel azzafrok = evil slaver