the Rift


[OPEN] home sweet home [Patrol]

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
#1


         K T U L U         


take all the examples and what have i learned?
nothing can heal you and everything burns.



Somewhere in the woods ahead of her Eytan and Murtagh were playing a game of chase. She could hear the pair of them crashing through the brush and there was no doubt in her mind that this patrol would turn up nothing, but she couldn't make herself care. Her son was having fun and she could feel through her bond with Eytan the sheer happiness he felt at being able to play. They had been bonded together for seasons and he'd grown into a strong predator, but somehow he'd never lost that spark of innocence. For whatever reason she hadn't tainted him completely and it gave her hope that maybe her child would keep his innocence, too.

Ktulu stopped as Eytan came crashing through the bushes in front of her with her son hot on his heels. "Losing to a baby, Eytan?" She asked through their bond, but the only thing she received in response was a grunt before he crashed through the bushes on the opposite side of the path she walked. Murtagh little butt disappeared from view and the dark mare sighed and shook her head and wondered what Kaj would think about their patrol once he finally caught up with them. But her child wanted to learn and how could she tell him no?

Eytan had only just disappeared from her view and he was back again. This time, however, he ducked under her, forcing her to stop moving. "What are you doing?" She asked as she looked down toward her companion. 'Hiding.' came his answer and seconds later she could hear the rustle of bushes as her son neared. "You're not very good at hiding." She said and rolled her eyes. 


"."

ooc://
murtagh PP okay by sarah c:


Credits

@Murtagh @Kaj

Icon by Tay

Murtagh Posts: 92
Outcast
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.1 hh :: 2.5 years
Sorellina :: Spectacled Bear :: None Sarah
#2
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When the idea had been brought up that Murtagh could accompany Ktulu on a patrol, he hadn’t left any room for his other mother to argue. He was simply far too excited and had made every promise he possibly could about how of course he wouldn’t run off and he definitely would stay within eyeshot of Ktulu, Kaj, or Eytan at all times.

Games were an exception, of course. They had to be!

The colt wasn’t really running off and it was the grizzly who had started it, anyway. Murtagh had just been minding his own business, preparing to ask Ktulu every single question he could ever think of because he had never been this far south before, when he had been tagged by a cold, damp nose. Such things could not go unchallenged.

All hope of grace was lost as the colt alternately chased and was chased by the small grizzly, bouts of laughter erupting every time there was a particularly loud crash or if one of them slipped on the forest floor.

But suddenly, it was his turn to chase and Eytan wasn’t there. A frown soured the colt’s face as he started to root around, sniffing here and there (he knew the grizzly’s scent well, it was everywhere in these bushes). He certainly wasn't capable of finding a trail but the action just seemed like something that a great tracker would do. Giving up, Murtagh leapt through the bushes with the intention of asking his Papa where the bear had got to when he skidded to a halt right in front of Ktulu. What a little bugger.

This called for a different plan. Straightening up, his small red-tipped horn held high, Murtagh stood in front of the pair in a way he hoped was casual. “Papa.” He said, seriously, adopting an exaggerated tone of what he considered to be his Papa’s ‘I’m being serious’ voice. It was the most adult tone he knew, perfect for the scene.“Have you seen Mama? We were playing but he gone…” Lavender eyes looked all around, studiously ignoring the blatant brown mass of fur beneath his parent’s legs. He was trying very hard not to pout, it was vital for the game that he be as grown-up and carefree as he could.“Best hider, that one.” He quietly confided in the mare before dropping his nose down to the ground and sniffing all about like a wolf might do when trying to find a deer.

He scurried off into the bushes, rooting around and gradually making his way so that he would come out of them behind Eytan, and maybe… just maybe… they had been fooled by his excellent acting skills and IF he was quiet enough he could sneak up behind and scare the silly bear…
Image Credit
table by Sevin

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


         K T U L U         


take all the examples and what have i learned?
nothing can heal you and everything burns.




"Papa."

Ktulu's head lifted and she looked at her child as he stood before her, his voice and stance serious. "Yes Sir?" She asked, copying the same 'serious' voice that he was using, which made the bear snicker. 'Baby mocking you' But the dark mare ignored the bear and listened as her son asked if she'd seen Mama. "No, I haven't." She blatantly lied mostly because she wanted to see what the colt would do. "Try the bushes over there." She tilted her head and her child scurried off quickly, but she knew that look that he'd had on his face and she knew he was up to something and she was interested to see what it was... or what he would to do Eytan once he found him.

'He gone?' The bear asked and Ktulu nodded her head. "He's in the bushes looking for you..." But there was no way that the colt hadn't noticed the pile of brown fur hiding beneath her, and if he did then she had a lot of work to do. 'Wait! Don't move!' Eytan instructed as Ktulu began to move forward to continue her patrol. "Why?" She asked and she turned her head in time to catch a glimpse of her child has he came out from the bushes and circled behind her. Well, well. Maybe he wasn't so oblivious.

'He's behind us.' Eytan said, making the mare smile. "Yep." She answered. "What are you going to do?" The bear was silent for a moment before he finally answered. 'Don't know yet.'

Eytan wasn't expecting the bite to his tail and she could feel his surprise when Murtagh nipped him, but the bear was a good sport. He darted out from under ktulu, staggered a few steps and threw himself on the ground after heaving a pathetic dying roar. 'AGGGHHH!' He shouted over his bond and it really was a shame that only Ktulu could hear him. 'You have vanquished me you vile beast!' He faked a wheezy breath and lay on the ground as little more than a heap of brown fur. 'I die...'

Through the whole scene Ktulu stood there staring, her mouth partially open in shock at the sheer ridiculousness of it. "You're so melodramatic." But she got no response from the bear as he played dead, so she turned her head to look at Murtagh to gauge his reaction.


"."


Credits

@Murtagh

Icon by Tay

Murtagh Posts: 92
Outcast
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.1 hh :: 2.5 years
Sorellina :: Spectacled Bear :: None Sarah
#4
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He knew that there was no sneaking up on Ktulu, even when she was asleep he was pretty sure she still knew exactly where he was. It was an uncanny trick of hers, something that had been annoying once but Murtagh had grown out of the need to sneak up or sneak away from his mothers. There was no need - they were protective, sure, but for a reason. He could hardly begrudge them for loving him so much and wanting to keep him safe. Now that the Falls was getting to be too small for him, he just needed to ask for some company to explore outside of it.

Eytan, however, he was at least 75% sure could be sneaked up on. Blissfully unaware of the conversation occurring between the minds of mare and bear, Murtagh continued to edge closer and closer before reaching out to carefully.. carefully… THERE take a nip at the little tail of the grizzly.

Well, he had been hoping to make the bear jump but he hadn’t been expecting the reaction that he got! He watched in complete amusement as the bear stumbled away, roaring before collapsing into a pile of brown fur. When there was no further movement, the colt sighed dramatically and moved closer. There was never any fear associated with the grizzly - he couldn’t imagine ever being anything more than tackled, maybe getting a little bit bruised if they rough-housed too much.

“Mama you’re so weird.” The colt admonished the bear before reaching down to nuzzle the fuzzy neck with affection. “You okay, right?” He whispered quietly, so that Ktulu wouldn’t hear. Although he felt pretty sure that this was a part of the game, there was a spark of fear in his heart that the nip had caused too much of a shock. So he just needed to check.
Image Credit
table by Sevin

Kaj The Aurelight Posts: 381
Hidden Falls Conscript atk: 4.0 | def: 9.0 | dam: 7.5
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2hh :: 8 Years 9 Months HP: 69.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Arabella :: Common Zephyr :: Wakiya Brit
#5


He wasn't being creepy. He wasn't. There were just fewer trees where he was standing, and he had pretty good eyesight, there wasn't a need to get any closer...oh who the hell was he kidding? Kaj was just trailing slowly behind, watching how Ktulu and Murtagh interacted, wondering why he hated himself so much that he subjected himself to such pain. Gods, how he wanted that. Bright eyes staring up at him, a voice saying daddy without hesitation. He loved the foals he'd managed to find and take beneath wing, loved them dearly, but it wasn't quite the same. Nothing could chase away the chill of the night, of loneliness. Watching the Constrictor soften and play with her son...he yearned. A part of him was reserved for curiosity, because he'd never seen Ktulu so open and kind, her emotional defenses dropped. It was a part of why he hung back, reluctant to intervene, to break that look of happiness on her face. 

They didn't know each other very well. In passing, maybe. Ktulu was not loyal to him, he suspected, but rather Archibald. Kaj only knew a little of the Grey, what it had been and who had been involved, but he saw it thriving in his borders nonetheless. Though they did not come together beneath the same banner any longer, it didn't seem to matter. They were family through and through, and it was...nice. Kaj had always missed that part of his homeland, one of the only good parts of that cursed world. Kinship, loyalty, free and unrestrained. An ease of nature and trust between one another. He'd tried so hard to recreate that, and though the Edge had once exemplified those ideals...well, the Falls had not seemed to follow exactly in those footsteps. 

Nevertheless they were family, and he'd been shown that through Brisa and Resplendence and Archibald, so many countless others who deserved recognition but were lost in a sea of faces and the burning of love inside his heart. Kaj owed them so much, for trusting him, for going along with the invasion when it was breaking everything they'd ever stood for. Sighing softly, deciding he'd been awkward and creepy for too long, he set his legs into motion, descending the incline to join Ktulu and her son. His gait was jolting, still growing used to how his left leg was damaged. At least he could use that as an excuse for why he'd been lingering behind, if Ktulu had sensed him. The youth was on the ground, whispering to Ktulu's companion, and again Kaj's heart gave a pang of regret. You're too messed up for a bond that beautiful. Why else would he remain unchosen by the gods? 

Though he regretted breaking the spell on Ktulu, he cleared his throat softly and put an unassuming smile on his face. "You have a beautiful family," he complimented, face shining with sincerity. "If you ever want me to take over one of your patrols to spend time with them..." he trailed off, not wanting to insult her or make her feel as if she was incapable of juggling her family and her duties, but wanting to express his appreciation for her efforts. If ever she wanted it, she deserved a break, and he'd willingly give it to her. It wasn't like there was anybody waiting up at night for him, anyways...she was the one with a mate to return to, a family to be removed from for the hours of her patrols. 

Smile turned to Murtagh, in case he was looking. "Having fun?" Hopefully Ktulu wouldn't kill him just for talking to her son, but Kaj really didn't know her that well. 

•• TAGS: @Ktulu
•• NOTES: None

“You love flowers, but you cut them. You love animals, but you eat them. You tell me you love me, so now I'm scared”
Table and Image by Moonstone Designs

credit bronzehalo
Please only tag starting posts, spars, and threads collecting dust!
Plot with me here!

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


         K T U L U         


take all the examples and what have i learned?
nothing can heal you and everything burns.



The moment that Kaj made his presence known Ktulu's demeanor shifted. Her posture became straighter, her head was held higher, her eyes sharper, her muscles tense. It was, perhaps, unnecessary seeing as how Kaj was her superior, but she didn't know him. It was one of the reasons that she had assigned him to patrol with her, so she could get to know him like she knew Archibald and, hopefully, begin building the same trust in him that she had in the darker Czar. Still, she needed to look the part of a warrior whether or not her son was present. She stood and waited for the Czar to reach her while Murtagh whispered to a bear who refused to move or give any sign of life to the colt who had sought to startle him so thoroughly.

"You have a beautiful family. If you ever want me to take over one of your patrols to spend time with them..."

The expression on her face became stony and she snorted softly in response. Was he trying to say that she had her hooves full with her family? Did he think she was she shirking her duties? Or could he possibly think she was incapable of balancing her home life with her work life? It took her several long seconds to realize that Kaj may not have meant anything of the sort, but that he was only trying to offer her time to spend with her child while he was young. Still, it was a blow to her ego and it only made Ktulu more set on proving that she could handle being a warrior and Papa with grace.

"Thank you." She finally said, forcing herself to look from Kaj to her son and her companion who was still pretending to be dead. "I'll keep your offer in mind..." But first I will prove to you that I can handle both responsibilities. His attention was turned to her son and she watched, her eyes sharp and searching for any ill will even though he was her Czar. It only heightened her realization and awareness that she didn't know him and she didn't trust him yet. It was something that would have to change and the sooner the better.


Credits

@Murtagh @Kaj

Icon by Tay

Murtagh Posts: 92
Outcast
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 16.1 hh :: 2.5 years
Sorellina :: Spectacled Bear :: None Sarah
#7
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Oh right, it wasn’t just Murtagh and his Papa on this patrol. One of the Czars was with them - Kaj he was pretty sure. He was certainly a slow one, wasn’t he? Took him this long to catch up! Murtagh would have to remember to never start playing chase with that one, the win would be too easy!

With Murtagh’s attention successfully diverted when the golden pegasus arrived on the scene, the grizzly bear chose that moment to spring to life. It was the colt’s turn to be surprised when Eytan quickly got up. He gave a small shout of delighted shock and stumbled backward, the shout quickly giving way to laughter and he made to chase the grizzly once more. And perhaps he would have instigated another game but such plans were put on pause when he was addressed by the slow king.

Was he having fun? “Oh yes!” Murtagh exclaimed before he even got the chance to feel shy.

Feeling obligated to temporarily delay his games, he gravitated toward Ktulu and bumped his cheek against her shoulder before looking to Kaj again. He wasn’t too sure what to think of the stallion, truthfully. He was a slow walker, and Papa seemed to have tensed up since he arrived, but he seemed nice enough. And he had wings. Murtagh couldn’t help but wonder if this Kaj was Areli’s father though he knew better than to ask. He still clearly remembered a lesson that had occurred not too long ago where it was pointed out that it was rude to ask about such things. Though, privately, he thought it was only rude because he had been wrong. How was he supposed to know that not everyone had two mothers?

So instead of that question, he asked another - full of innocence. “Why don’t you fly everywhere? Wouldn’t it be faster than walking?” Or was Kaj just as slow at flight too?
Image Credit
table by Sevin

Erthë Posts: 440
Outcast atk: 5.5 | def: 8.5 | dam: 5.5
Filly :: Hybrid :: 14,2 hh :: 3 years HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Chan
#8
E r t h ë
"And now I wish to God that The earth would turn cold
And my heart would forget it's made of glass"


She had found something to distract herself from her own thoughts. While the grief of loosing her mother was still fresh and her nights were spent trying to stifle the tears so as not to wake her father, it helped to keep herself busy during the days. The incident with the vultures had revealed a whole new meaning to the pretty ivory bow her mom had left her. It wasn't only a memento, but also a weapon. One that could be used to defend herself and others, keep them all safe...

If only she could learn to use it properly.

Retreating far away from the Edge and Threshold where she knew there could be a lot of people to accidentally hurt, Erthë spent days on end in the depths of the forest. It took strength and precision to aim the cumbersome, oversized bow just right, things she didn't really have yet. More often than not she missed her target, a tree that had been struck by lightning at some point and stood barren and dead in the center of a relatively large clearing.

Quickly growing frustrated, Erthë decided to fire off one last volley and then call it quits for a while. The day was growing too hot to keep going anyway, and her head was pounding with the combination of glaring sunlight and the bright, white light of the magical arrows.

Gripping the string between her teeth for the upteenth time she aimed the hovering weapon towards the dark tree trunk. Squinting to make out the target through the blinding light she held, and held, and aimed... and loosed. In a flash the bolt of cold, freezing brightness set off in a straight arc towards the tree, and scraped the side of the trunk before continuing off amidst the foliage.

Whooping with glee and catching the bow to tuck it hastily beneath a wing, Erthë hurried up to the tree and studied the bark. A frost flower glittered innocently where the light had nudged the rough surface, already melting in the sunlight; it was a near miss, but it was the closest she had been to actually hitting the mark in a long time!

Feeling elated, she was just about to go back and try again, encouraged by the success, when the sound of voices drew her attention. Pricking the small, woolly ears she froze and listened intently, jubilation turning into dread upon realizing that they came from the other side of the tree... Right where the dangerously cold light had disappeared.

Erthë didn't stop to think. Heart beating furiously she threw herself into the underbrush and ran as quickly as she could towards the people that were talking, praying to the Moon that she hadn't hurt anyone. Like a small, very local snow storm she burst out before the small group, terrified and full of remorse.

"I'm so sorry, are you okay? Did anyone get hurt? I didn't mean to, I missed the target and... "

Looking wildly about she took in the horses before her; a tall, dark unicorn mare that looked strong and stern - hadn't she seen her before? - a handsome palomino stallion she recognized from the battle with the Bear - his wing looked much better now - and...

"Murtagh! It is you, isn't it!"

Like the sky at dawn the expression on the filly's pale face brightened at the sight of the boy. It had been so long since she had seen him! Ages, almost an entire season... and there was Mama too!

The girl shifted anxiously on the spot; she longed to rush up to the colt, one of exceedingly few friends her age - but she didn't dare, in case she had caused any damage.


"And all the pretty tulips would disappear
And never disturb me again"



@Kaj

~| Use of magic and violence is always permitted |~
~| Please only tag in opening posts |~

Kaj The Aurelight Posts: 381
Hidden Falls Conscript atk: 4.0 | def: 9.0 | dam: 7.5
Stallion :: Pegasus :: 17.2hh :: 8 Years 9 Months HP: 69.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Arabella :: Common Zephyr :: Wakiya Brit
#9


As Ktulu's face shuttered like branches bowing against the wind, Kaj sighed softly. "No offense meant, you've more than proven yourself." Frosty eyes glanced towards Murtagh and Eytan playing together and his face could not help but betray the wistful longing he felt. Shaking his head with a soft grunt, he deigned not to explain any further. He doubted Ktulu would tolerate any softness from him, and it was almost a burden off his shoulders to know that. To be forced to stand on his own again. He'd succumbed to weakness and loneliness for far too long, and to know he could not around her was a blessing, but he wouldn't thank her for it. He quite valued his ears, and did not want to see them hanging from her teeth for his idiocy - of which he was quite self aware. 

Murtagh bounded up to them as all foals did, with a sickening amount of energy and wobbly legged sprawling gait. Youth was wasted on the young, Kaj mused to himself with an internal laugh. Oh what he'd give to be that limber once more. The dark cloud of depression descended once more, body stiffening and shoulder shifting as if to cruelly remind himself of how badly he truly did want that. At least nobody has pointed out the wretched puckered scar or the way he walked stiffly, favoring his hind legs. But what, he was going to be jealous of a foal? How pathetic. 

Kaj shuffled his large wings in a playful demonstration, winking at the child. "But you two cannot fly, now can you? So I must walk in order to enjoy your company," he concluded happily. Truth wrapped in childish explanation, for flying was the only way Kaj could forget his leg's uselessness. 

Any other jesting he could have struck up with the child was immediately killed as bright, freezing light shot past them. Kaj's wings rose in protection, splaying wide instinctively to try and cover Murtagh and Ktulu as much as possible - not that Ktulu needed it, but Kaj would protect his people to the death regardless. Always. 

He's bristling by the time the child is thundering through the undergrowth, drawn to his full massive, towering height as sparks dance between his primary feathers threatening. She's young, very young, but Kaj does not know her which means she is not of the Falls. Even he knew that he was overly fond of foals, and there'd been no news of pregnancy nor did her visage hold any relation he knew. But she was still a foal with no clear parents around, regardless of her errant magic. 

"Watch where and when you are throwing magical attacks around, child," he said firmly, wing shifting with the desire to step more firmly in front of Murtagh. Friends or no, it was automatic to shield him. "Where is your herd?" Face is stony but relaxed, disapproving but with kindly eyes and concerned frown. He had a feeling Ktulu would cover the fear factor. Perhaps they could return her safely at least. 

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•• NOTES:

“You love flowers, but you cut them. You love animals, but you eat them. You tell me you love me, so now I'm scared”
Table and Image by Moonstone Designs

credit bronzehalo
Please only tag starting posts, spars, and threads collecting dust!
Plot with me here!


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