the Rift


[JUDGED] The Shaman & The Soldier

Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#1
Run away with me, Lost souls and reverie,
Running wild and running free, Two kids, you and me

The star girl was nothing like this Tallsun day. The sun cast a gentle heat across the valley, and the breeze was soft and warm as it swept across the landscape. Gentle and soft. The corporal was sharp and dangerous. Like a viper in the grass, she was armed with venomous words and a bladed crown, a fierce warrior hidden within a small feminine body. She could be cunning and vicious, and though she had not needed to fall back into her old ways recently, her hate and vigor always lay in wait.

But not with Ashamin.

Ashamin made her feel differently. With him she was delicate. She was warm and soft and safe. She had never felt this way before. She was not a docile lamb, she was a fierce lioness. She would not be tamed or broken or restrained. But despite how he calmed her, she never felt as though he was a heavy chain, or an anchor holding her down. He changed her, but not in a way that took away her fire. He added to it, fueling it with every butterfly that thrummed against her ribs.

The star girl shook her head as she faced him. She was not a flighty filly with a crush. She didn't understand the emotions she felt when she shared space with him. But the blue only had one way of making sense of things. And it was a warrior heart that placed her before him. Nothing else. Around them, summer seemed to sing. She folded a front leg up, dipping down in a elegant bow, skewer pointing downwards as she showed her respect. "Will you join me in this dance?" she asked, a small laugh escaping her. She felt ridiculous. Why did she feel this way?

Eyes snapped up, silver glittering as they caught the midday light. She leaned back onto her haunches, front cloven toes lifting from the ground before scraping the air that hung around them. Ears twisted back on her skull, her gaze running over the buck as she looked for any glaring soft spots. She sprang towards him, long strides closing the space between them, her horn pointed towards his chest. She turned her head at the last moment, her intent to not pierce his breast, but instead plow into him, hoping her weight would follow her shoulder should she meet her mark. He was not much larger than her, but there was a certain leanness and lankiness to him that urged her to knock him off balance.  

He had no sword to combat her with, which left her careless to his brow. But despite his lacking, she was sure he had his own secrets and strengths she would need to adapt to. It was easy to wield a blade. Even the most reckless unicorn had a weapon to use, and even the most imprecise marksmanship could leave a devastating injury if luck chose their side. So what was his weapon of choice?

Swinging her head back towards him, her jaws snapped as she aimed to plant a firm bite to his withers. Jaws released quickly, hoping to not cause any truly lasting injury to him should her bite have landed. She pulled away, hooves digging into the firm soil, feeling the slight give the earth had since the topmost layers of ice had given way to the summer sun. She tried to break away from him, body tensed in wait to his coming response.

He was a storyteller and she was a soldier. They were different souls, two threads tangled together after a shadow from the sky had intruded upon their home, pulling them together when they had no other reason to share a space. The corporal had no reason to believe he had any desire to learn her. But that didn't change a thing. She would learn him through their dance.

That was enough for her.

Speech
WC:: 655
1/3
Setting: Midday during Tallsun. Weather is pleasant, and it is sunny. Spar takes place in the northwestern corner of the AB, in a large clearing.
Summary: Ki'irha rears and runs towards Ashamin. She attempts to shove him with her shoulder, with all of her body weight thrown into her push. She then reaches in an attempt to bite him. She then tries to put space between them, and tenses as she prepares for his attack.
@Ashamin ~

[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Ashamin the Clovenheart Posts: 426
Outcast atk: 8 | def: 11.5 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 15.2 HH :: 5 [Frostfall] HP: 79 | Buff: NUMB
Lochan :: Plain Cerndyr :: Dark Mist & Rakt :: Common Cerndyr :: Starpast Jen
#2
     Lived unbruised,
we are friends; and I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Sigh no more.

Separate souls? Maybe. Perhaps they needed to be to survive. But kindred ones--like ones, breathing the same thoughts--this could not be denied.

Will you join me in this dance?
"Of course," he said in a quiet reply.

When Ki'irha's body bent to greet the cold below, Ashamin's followed in respectful suit. He backed away on delicate white hooves, lengthening the space between them and signaling to Lochan that he'd best move his sleepy feet to the earth. Reluctantly the companion agreed, shaking his hind-hooves as he stumbled onto the permafrost and taking the haruspex's sarong with him to the edge of the scene like a security blanket. Ashamin smiled as Ki'irha's silver eyes flashed upwards, casting a flickering wave of his tail after Sialia as she made her leave. Sialia was a good corporal, but he knew little of her. She did not wish to dance with him today in this bright, almost warm day. He would pay her more attention some other time.

For now, his entire being was focused star-studded mare. When she moved he moved, too. The painted buck would not be caught standing still again. He had gained too much confidence to freeze in a terrified place. Ki'irha's rear was unnecessary warning--a flourish that gave him more than enough time to set off at what sped quickly into a canter. Ashamin did not consider the maneuver (a straightforward dodge to his right) to be cowardly. It was simply smart, simply preserving his own dignity and strength.

If he had learned anything in all of these spars, it was that there was absolutely no reason to stand still when the body could be in motion. And he thought, too, that this was true of most parts of his life. Why remain stagnant when you could make progress? Why, ever, stay frozen in that eternal cold?

He let out a nicker as he looked back, watching as the mare charged at where he no longer was. "No need for a two-step," he called back in jest, "Go on, teach me flamenco."

Why was the haruspex really there? It was a valid question. He wasn't a soldier anymore, no matter how much Sialia expressed her wish for him to be one. He was not required or even called upon at these meetings. But he had a fondness for a few of the herd's soldiers and corporals. It was good to see them again. All of them, of course, but one or two in particular.

Ki'irha was one such party. He stopped short, turning sharply to run back towards where Ki'irha had aimed--to where he had once been. It was good to see her, for many reasons. It had been some time since he'd gifted her the scarf Johnny had made, and now that Tallsun had arrived in full swing he could see her as Tallsun had made her and lit her. She looked quite different from when he had first met her in Frostfall's shadows, but he wasn't sure if she had really changed or simply his perception had.

Still, whatever it was, his lips turned up when he saw her.

The buck ran now with speed and precision, sizing her up as the distance between them shortened. Though she, better trained and harder of heart, was likely stronger and maybe even faster than he was, he trusted in his different strength. He could carry on, push through fatigue--even the fatigue he felt now, given that these were the hours in which he typically slept. But already he felt himself waking up, and Lochan was reluctantly doing the same. That young cerndyr, that spectator of the spar, would have fought off any sleepiness to see his bonded succeed.

When Ashamin thought he might be close enough to bite her hind he kept going, pounding hooves into the earth and pressing himself further. His legs churned and he kicked up white-topped chunks of soil as he let his speed carry him. He placed his balance on his forehooves as he maneuvered to try and run first parallel, then away from Ki'irha's right, bucking as he pushed off and away. He ran off at what he hoped was a perfect 15 degrees, sending behind him a kick with the power to push but no intention to truly harm. This was a spar, after all, not a war. It had taken one or two tries but he'd learned the difference, especially after his last meeting with Zandora.

This time would be different.

""


PC 1/3 AP
WC 750/800
Notes Sorry for the wait!


See Ashamin's profile for more information about Lochan, Rakt, and his various items.
All magic and force allowed, barring death and permanent injury.
Do not tag me, please message on skype instead


Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#3
Run away with me, Lost souls and reverie,
Running wild and running free, Two kids, you and me

Her bow was returned, right before Ashamin's companion removed himself from their spar. She was glad to see the sleepy fawn wander off of their battle ground. Some day the babe would fight alongside his bonded, two souls working as one, but for now the warrior was glad she need not worry about stepping on the delicate creature and injuring the one Ashamin loved so dearly.

Perhaps her rear was superfluous, but the flourish was her. Despite her typical avoidance of anything unnecessary, the rear was a minute detail that made the small mare appear larger, and feel more powerful. And secretly, perhaps she wanted to take it easy on the painted buck. He was a quiet storyteller. He never seemed like much of a fighter, and he certainly wasn't built like any of the war horses that populated Helovia. Neither was she, but she also had a lifetime of training. She was certainly in no place to make assumptions, but that didn't stop her from making one and altering her force.

And that would be her downfall.

The star girl had missed him entirely. Neither sword nor side brushed him as she lunged forward into empty air. Her head turned and she watched him slip away from her. Her hooves scrambled beneath her as she twisted, turning to pursue the haruspex on sharpened cloves. How had she missed? Her ears twisted in annoyance, but not towards the buck who escaped her. It was her own ignorance that allowed him to sneak away from her blow. And though her intent was not to injure him, he asked for a fight and it was what he would receive. He would gain nothing from her showing gentleness, and neither would she. Sure, the star girl did not aim to draw blood, but it would be an embarrassment to underestimate an even match, and walk away defeated after an unfairly fought spar.

But her inward irritation was not long-lasted. She didn't have time to worry about past mistakes. She just knew better now. He called out to her, and his words combated her frustrations. She smiled as her ears turned, cupping the air and letting his joke sink in. "Yes, my friend, but you see, I prefer to waltz." It was difficult to dance, however, especially the waltz, with her partner as far from her as he was. She barely gained on him over the short distance, their strides equal and their pace shared. Quickly and suddenly he turned and was upon her, giving her little time to react. She leaned, avoiding a collision of bodies, but she still felt his heat radiate upon her. Side by side though facing opposite ways, she arched her neck and reached for him, jaws clamping shut on empty air as he pulled away and lashed out with dangerous hooves.

She was too close to avoid his kick, but quick enough to yank her clamped jaws from his trajectory. A pained gasp escaped her as he contacted her right shoulder and chest, a sudden ache blossoming in the muscle. The blue shied away, burying the pain beneath a wave of adrenaline that coursed through her. But this time, he wouldn't escape her. This time, she wouldn't let him get away.

The corporal reared, but there was no delicate intent, no flourish or detail for show, as her front feet slammed into the ground in unison. She felt her muscles quiver as the magic from her rank coursed down her long legs, causing the earth around her to shudder. Hopefully it was enough to shake the lanky legs of her comrade, cause him to misstep. Missing not a beat she careened forward, throwing herself at the stallion. Still keeping her skewer from him she plowed forward, hoping to make the most of her magic, before reaching to bite him once more.

Beneath cobalt fur she became flushed. Her heart was struck with a pang of resentment as she pictured her father and his lashings towards the end of his supposed reign, warning her of the naive love mares tended to show. Had she, who held herself in such high regards in her strong and dauntless nature, allowed herself to be distracted by emotions? Despite her unexpected feelings towards the haruspex, she didn't know him. Why was she showing him restraint? She was confused, and as she pushed from her mind both her father's scolding, and the happiness Ashamin brought, she hardened like stone. It was only a mistake if you learned from it. Otherwise, it was just stupidity.

Everything changed, even if just for a moment. The girl she was for Ashamin, soft and gentle, was now sharp and dangerous. Right now, the haruspex was a warrior.

And a corporal is what he would get in return.

Speech
WC:: 800/800
2/3
Summary: Is all bothered by the fact her attack missed. She takes his attack on the right side of her chest/right shoulder. Uses her rank magic War Stomp to attempt to throw him off balance, then tries to throw all of her weight into him and bite him, wherever she makes contact. She's not being very precise.

[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Ashamin the Clovenheart Posts: 426
Outcast atk: 8 | def: 11.5 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 15.2 HH :: 5 [Frostfall] HP: 79 | Buff: NUMB
Lochan :: Plain Cerndyr :: Dark Mist & Rakt :: Common Cerndyr :: Starpast Jen
#4
     Lived unbruised,
we are friends; and I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Sigh no more.

Ashamin wasn't happy when he knew that perhaps he had hurt her, but he was filled with a flush of pride. The haruspex was fighting the corporal, and he was fighting her well. He had outmaneuvered her with ease and now his attack struck exactly as he had hoped, clipping her front even as they both moved onward.

But even the clearing had to end somewhere. They were deep in the northernmost area, to the West and not far from where Ashamin had sparred with Zandora; he remembered the maze of trees well. Should they keep running as they were, the pair would surely hit them soon and draw the fight into closer quarters. Even without looking back, Ashamin knew the differences in their forms, the strengths they both had and lacked. He had memorized Ki'irha's tender blade-like edges, the angles of her warm blue form and how they had challenged his soft awkwardness upon their first meeting. Even if he was stronger now, she still held power over him that would prevail in the close quarters of that northwestern wood. They were well matched in speed, that much was clear since he had not managed to put much distance between them yet, so he would have to rely on endurance. The haruspex knew that as well trained as she was, he was built to last. It was painful, almost, how much his body clung to holding on even. He wished at times it would simply collapse.

But now, if he could just direct them away from those oncoming woods, he could keep the battle in his territory--keep working to his advantage. Ashamin flung his head and gaze back when the thundering of Ki'irha's hooves did not follow his own. He only had a moment to watch as her hooves came crashing down, and it was not a well-informed enough moment for him to prepare.

The ground beneath him shook as he tried to turn and face the warmer, lake-bearing South. In the split second when he stumbled, before he could recover and straighten himself, he thought of Ki'irha's response to his jest--her preference to waltz. Well, clearly she knew how to flourish in that department. Ashamin's ears flew back in surprise and concern when at last he was recomposed and realigned. His tail flew straight behind him and had helped him maintain his balance so he wouldn't fall completely on the earth, but she had caught him mid-turn and slowed him significantly. There was no time to recover--no way to avoid what came next.

Given that he had turned and stumbled, that she had kept running forward with such ease, he had inadvertently positioned his left side directly before her. Her crash and bite may have been aimed to where he had been (parallel) but as he struggled to outrun her oncoming shadow he knew whatever she had in store would still reach him. He had just lost too much time.

He could only watch and fell as his hindquarters crumpled towards the earth in the face of her strength and her teeth caught the base of his tail instead. Ashamin's long appendage was often a gift, but now as he flung it away and her teeth revealed pale blistering patches of emerging red, he felt as if it was only in the way. The impact of her front on his side bruised him too, but he was at least protected well enough by thick muscle and flesh on his flank. That was a pain he would feel soon, but for now it was more of an inconvenience as it pushed him towards the icy earth and forced him to waste time pulling himself back up into a balanced position.

Ashamin needed to get away from the mare--this was not a spar that he could win up close. If he wanted to prove himself, he needed to do it from a distance and with time. He reached out his magic to feel for her heartbeat and find, perhaps, what had hardened it so quickly in its tempo. Was she dancing to some internal beat, following a step that electricity pumped through her veins?

The haruspex listened as he stood looking North and past her, slightly on her left side. He listened as he attempted to recover the speed he had lost and run past her left, as he bucked haphazardly at her left hindquarters and let his injured tail cast sparks across the earth as--compromised at the base--it dragged awkwardly in his wake.

But even as he ran and winced at the pain of the bruise and bite, even as he faltered and feared, he still just hoped to hear her beating heart. He hoped, somehow, that it might match his own.

""


PC 2/3 AP
WC 793/800
Notes  !!! I love their intensity


See Ashamin's profile for more information about Lochan, Rakt, and his various items.
All magic and force allowed, barring death and permanent injury.
Do not tag me, please message on skype instead


Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#5
Run away with me, Lost souls and reverie,
Running wild and running free, Two kids, you and me

The sun's warmth showered them, adding to the sweat that beaded on her flanks. Sides heaved with deep even breaths, and her heart pounded in the cage of her chest. The star girl watched the buck turn from her, but his gracelessness held him captive long enough that she was able to finally meet him. Teeth grazed his prehensile tail, and the faintest taste of blood flickered on her tongue. As her chest pressed into him, forcing him from his spot, her heart raced faster. She didn't spare tenderness on this moment, but what if she had? What if instead of forcing him away, he had been pressing closer?

As he gave way, she stumbled in a missed half-step, though her rhythm was recovered nearly as quickly as it had been lost. Though he managed to break free from her, she worried briefly on how his tail hung so limply. She spat the taste of him from her mouth, hoping his blood wouldn't linger on her tongue. It was only a flesh wound, right? But as Corporal, she denied herself the urge to call out to him, refused to pause their spar to ensure he was alright. He would live, albeit with a sore ass for a while.

Cloven black sank into the permafrost. The topmost layer gave way easily to her steps, allowing her footing to be precise. She propelled herself forward, pursuing him as lovers don't. He seemed to avoid the trees that buried the mountainside, leeching into the open field. She felt relief at that. She didn't know this corner of the Basin. Unfamiliarity with her battle ground could cause worse than just a loss- a severely twisted ankle or broken leg could end the most skilled of warriors. The Basin held many holes and divots in the rock that breeched the surface of the soil. And what did the trees harbor? Though adding a bear to the mix would liven things up, it wasn't a chance she was willing to take. She would keep this fight on flat, solid ground.

She pressed onwards, not wanting the buck to put any space between them. His constant retreat annoyed her, frayed the edges of her enjoyment. She yearned for closeness. Why didn't he face her? Why wouldn't he meet her in a tangle of legs and breath and adrenaline? She was not a tigress hunting for a kill. She was a fragmented soul looking to fill her emptiness with something more. Certainly he wasn't a creature carved from muscle and stone and strength, but no longer was he the meek boy she had met what seemed to be ages ago. He was flourishing despite his imperfections. She didn't need perfect. She needed--

Suddenly and all at once, he had turned and was upon her. She leaned, desperately trying to avoid a head-on collision. He brushed against her before cow-kicking clumsily at her. A hoof caught her ribs, knocking the breath from her lungs. She gasped, eyes rolling, several barking coughs bursting from her gaping maw as she attempted to gulp in air she couldn't hold onto. Her sclera formed vivid crescents around smokey pupils as she watched him go, leaving popping sparks in his wake as his tail hung loosely behind him. Finally the chilled air burned as she drew it in, filling her lungs in greedy inhalations. As she resumed her pursuit, she found herself struggling to keep up. She was nearly spent, and each breath she drew caused pain to shoot across her chest.

What was she even doing out here? As she chased him, avoiding the sparks that trailed him, she wondered who she was turning into. The blue's side burned with every step, and she doubted herself. She was a corporal, a princess of battle, a girl who was destined to become a queen of war. Well, at least she hoped. But not after this. How could she be conquered by a gangly buck who told stories by firelight? He wasn't a warrior. Or perhaps his intentions weren't as clean cut as one could assume. Did he really need to choose one over the other?

As her strides lengthened and she drove every ounce of energy she had left into her bounds, her mind remained calm. Her breaths rattled as she drank deep gasps of warm air, not sure if the pain was from breathlessness or her bruised ribs. She reached for him, knowing that this was her last shot. She dipped her crown, turning her blade towards him, aiming to draw a string of bloody pearls in his hide. It was all she could reach him with, and as she tossed her head, a wave of white splashed in a banner behind her.

But it was no flag of surrender.  

Speech
WC:: 799/800
3/3
Summary: Bruised ribs from his kick, possible fractured rib. Goes get him with her horn and do anything she can, but his endurance is better than hers and she's tiring out. Wasn't sure how to include his magic, but he can hear her heartbeat and interpret it as he'd like!

[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Ashamin the Clovenheart Posts: 426
Outcast atk: 8 | def: 11.5 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 15.2 HH :: 5 [Frostfall] HP: 79 | Buff: NUMB
Lochan :: Plain Cerndyr :: Dark Mist & Rakt :: Common Cerndyr :: Starpast Jen
#6
     Lived unbruised,
we are friends; and I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Sigh no more.

It was her heartbeat that gave it away. Ashamin felt his hooves strike her, saw her side yield to him out of the corner of his eye, but he did not register the true pain he had caused until he heard her heartbeat. The impact of his hooves on her ribcage was instantaneous, the retreat of them quick as they landed back on the earth and propelled him forward. Ashamin heard the pain register, though, felt her heart within those wounded ribs, and realized his mistake.

In his panic, the painted buck had lashed out at her without thinking. He had assumed it would simply keep her at bay, that she could outmaneuver him, but perhaps her lesser endurance was something he had underestimated. Or maybe she was just tired. Wasn't he? As he ran, as his tail dragged on the ground and his side began to ache from Ki'irha's previous impact, he could feel that. He was tired.

Their dance was becoming dangerous, now. It was growing old. As the two of them racked up injuries and the casual demonstration turned more desperate, Ashamin felt less and less like the fight should go on. Lochan was out of sight, long gone. As far as the haruspex was concerned, their demonstration had no audience. There was no one to learn from this but the two of them, and, well... what were they learning?

The coughs that followed pulled on the haruspex's heart. They were just like Zandora's. The memory of that fight came back to him and he staggered, lost his step, forgot where he was and that he needed to keep running. He was slowed, he wanted to look back. Though the logical part of him knew better, emotions were running high. Whatever feelings he had for the corporal surged and, after a few moments of hesitation, his face turned to see her to make sure she was ok.

Turned out, she was more than fine. The moment Ashamin looked back was the moment her horn slashed, drew across his hide and brought with it shivers of pain. He felt the corporal's horn slice across his gaskin and his leg buckled, turning out beneath him. The cry that came from within him was without hesitation. It was unbridled, a pure screech-like neigh of hurt. It was the most pain he'd felt in this spar, the most serious of her attacks. His leg twitched and shivered as it dragged behind him. Ashamin struggled to stop his forward motion, to cease the motion of his forelegs so perhaps he could at least stand, but the inertia of his form flung him forward. It was enough for him to keep from falling flat on his face, and when the buck finally stopped and held his bleeding leg up from the earth he was shaking with shock.

He couldn't move. Just like when Torleik had stabbed him through, Ashamin was frozen in his tracks. He could not retaliate. He could not fight back. Ashamin's tail fell and sent out another round of sparks, his mind grew dark. Somewhere in his mind he knew he needed to fight back. Somehow he needed to respond.

For a moment, though, there was just quiet. There was nothing to do but look out over the cold expanse and feel the pain in his leg biting him like bear trap. There was nothing to do but pay homage to the skill of the corporal, who even as she tired had struck him with skill.

Carefully, painfully, Ashamin turned. He looked at her with cold coal eyes, searched for an understanding as his leg dragged and pulled itself up in a pained, clenched fold. He just stared. In his mind, the memories and echoes of two coughs plagued him. He was haunted by the hurt of Torleik's horns, so like this sliced pain that caused his leg to bleed.

Quiet. Breathing. These were the things that took up his time. Ashamin threw his face forward, let his jaws part, and tried to snap somewhere at her front. There was no heart in the attack, however. This, this spar and this pretending that they could hurt each other without feeling the hurt themselves, was done. In Ashamin's eyes was the pain of unexpected, mutual betrayal. It was an unwarranted feeling, perhaps, but it was in his heart nonetheless.

Whatever had happened, whatever would happen, no matter how much blood he had lost or retained, Ashamin knew this: he was done with this dance. It was time to be honest.

""


PC 3/3 AP
WC 759/800
Notes Great spar Noella!


See Ashamin's profile for more information about Lochan, Rakt, and his various items.
All magic and force allowed, barring death and permanent injury.
Do not tag me, please message on skype instead


Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#7
Run away with me, Lost souls and reverie,
Running wild and running free, Two kids, you and me

The world seemed to scream around her, enveloping her in a violent white noise she couldn't tear herself from. Ragged breaths. Searing ribs. Pounding heart. Hooves upon frozen earth. Even the smells stifled her. The smell of blood and sweat was thick, and hung heavy around the velvet rim of each nostril. She gasped for clean air, prayed for it to be over. In their desperation, there could be no victor. Both would be engulfed in the flames they had kindled. She couldn't last much longer. The end was nearly upon them.

Only, the end didn't come silently like a spring lamb. It came in a grotesque wave of crimson as her horn met his hide. Iron and heat and blood, so much blood, splashed across the cobalt plane of her face. It blurred her vision, stained the white pinpricks that dazzled her hide. She shook her head, her forelock sticking slick to her face, spraying droplets of red to pepper the earth. She couldn't get away. She couldn't see. His scream, a primal animalistic howl, shook her to her bones.

"Ashamin!" she cried, reaching out for him. Sparks leapt at her, burned her skin, buried themselves into her muscles. But she didn't care. She couldn't care. She blinked furiously, trying to clear her vision enough to see the buck. She moved blindly, heaving herself forward towards him. She was done. She couldn't continue whatever this had become. She was no longer a corporal. She was terrified and vulnerable, split wide open to the core, knowing she had done this.

There was too much blood.

She closed the space between them, and his jaws clamped hard onto the smooth curve of her neck. It burned, and her muscle tensed and twisted as ruby red bubbled to the surface, oozing from a neat arch of teeth marks.

"Ashamin, stop!" she gasped, eyes brimming with tears. "Ashamin, it's over. Oh, my darling, what have I done?" Her voice was broken and weak. How could she have done this? She didn't mean for this to happen."Your leg, oh my god, your leg."  She pushed past him, trying desperately to ignore the tingling in her legs from the sparks, and the soreness of everything else. The blue pressed her nose against his wound. The smell and taste and warmth of his blood became embedded into her senses, latching on and fueling the guilt that welled up deep inside."I don't know what to do. It was an accident, I'm so sorry." She tried to hold pressure, tried to do anything. Was this even right? She began to cry, salty tears mixing with the vivid splashes that cascaded down her face.

They were dancing. They were spinning beneath the Tallsun sky, two souls tangled together, letting the world fall apart around them. But if the world disappeared, who would be there to help them put their pieces back together? Who would be there to fix this mess?

She wheezed with every breath, and each inhale grew sharper and more labored. Her head swam, and everything hurt. What could she do? How could she begin to fix this? What he needed was help. He didn't need her. He didn't need the product of a violent upbringing. He didn't need someone sharp and dangerous, without enough skill to calculate the damage of her blade. Her beautiful Ashamin needed someone who woundn't tear him open to bleed out beneath the summer sun, or force him to walk with an awful limp. Her heart was breaking, shattering under the weight of her burdens and decisions. She was imploding.

They were lost to the world in the corner of the valley, surrounded by trees and rock and ice. Her place of refuge was marred by this horrifically display. She was anchored to her spot, with no idea what would happen if she pulled away and retreated to the heart of the Basin for help. She couldn't leave him here. She couldn't abandon him. What if the bleeding didn't stop? She couldn't turn her silver gaze to his black pools. She couldn't bear to look him in the eyes, and know she had inflicted such an injury one the one she lov--

She stopped herself, trying to steady her breathing between muted sobs. Her mind raced, the last of her adrenaline burying the blanket of exhaustion that hovered close by. She was crumbling when she needed to be a sturdy foundation. Even if she wasn't what he needed, she could try her hardest to be a placeholder. She took one deep breath, as deep as she could bear, before speaking again. "It's going to be okay," she murmured. Who was she trying to convince?

"I promise, everything is going to be okay."

Speech
WC:: 798/800
Closing Defense
Summary: Sparks from his coil shock and burn her forelegs. His bite lands on her neck and draws blood. She freaks out over the whole thing.



@Ashamin <3
[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Official Posts: 847
Administrator
Stallion :: Equine :: ::
Official
#8
By my verdict: ASHAMIN is the winner!

KI’IRHA
Realism [+0.5]
You write your attacks and defenses very well, explaining them thoroughly and realistically, but you seem to struggle with taking proper injury. For instance in your second post where you should have taken a 5 damage roll, which you translated into Ashamin’s buck hitting your shoulder, you seem to brush it off with no real mention of injury aside from that it hurts, and continue to run and even ram at him again. Then in your third post where you got a 3 damage roll, you take ashamin’s buck to your side, get the wind knocked out of you, and possibly even have a bruised rib. I agree that taking a kick to the side is more damaging than to the shoulder, but comparing the damage rolls for both scenarios that aspect isn’t realistic, she should have taken greater damage in post two and less damage in post three. Just keep in mind the damage rolled when determining injury and be sure to describe your injuries clearly and ideally have them affect your character the duration of the fight.

Your third post had some other trouble areas. You mention Ashamin’s kick as being a cow kick, but his text never specifies it this way, and a buck and a cowkick are different enough to be a big deal. You also don’t seem to mention him using his heartbeat magic on your at all - I know it’s not really an attack-based magic, but I would have expected some response to that since he is utilizing it in the fight.

I did enjoy you using your warrior’s rank magic of war stomp, great tactic! I also appreciated the mentions you made of their height differences, but if you could include more pros and cons of their different stats, it would bring in more realism. Additionally mentioning the surroundings a bit more would also help make this fight seem more real, especially to actually use them in some way with the fight.


Emotion [+2.5]
Fantastic emotion all throughout the fight. I constantly knew what her feelings were and why she was acting the way she was. Excellent!

“He had no sword to combat her with, which left her careless to his brow.”


Prose [+3.5]
All of your posts were a joy to read, full of imagery and vocabulary. You had nice flowing transitions and really set mood with your wording.


Readability [+2.5]
Overall very readable with few grammar issues or typos, just watch how often you start sentences with “and” and “but” because that’s not proper.

P1:
“...before him. Nothing else....” (comma not a period)
“...in a elegant bow…” (an)


Finally tally: 40.5+(9*2)= 58.5 HP

*******************************************

ASHAMIN
Realism [+3]
I definitely noticed and thought you used well the mentions of stat differences and some surroundings. Such as how you tied in Ashamin’s endurance in nearly every post, but especially your third one, and how you strategically avoided the trees where his speed wouldn’t be as strong. You also had well explained attacks and defenses all throughout the fight, and I thought you handled your damage well and included it somewhat throughout the fight.

I did think that you took a bit too much in your second post, given it was a damage roll of 3 and just a bite to his tail, to make it drag the rest of the fight. Normally when a body part is incapacitated due to injury that’s more in the 6 or 5 range of damage rolls. That you had his hind quarters knocked out from under him also seemed a touch much for a 3 - I know she has greater strength than him, but only barely, and height wise he’s taller. However I didn’t really mark you off for it, especially with the war stomp unbalancing him, and because you didn’t say his haunches were heavily injured the rest of the fight so I think it worked out.

Be careful of minor power play such as occurred in the following:
“The haruspex listened as he stood looking North and past her, slightly on her left side. He listened as he attempted to recover the speed he had lost and run past her left, as he bucked haphazardly at her left hindquarters and let his injured tail cast sparks across the earth as--compromised at the base--it dragged awkwardly in his wake.”

It’s just the way you worded this, first of all made it seem like the heart beat magic he just attempted was for sure working, and second of all that she was in a set position - it’s up to her to decide if he’s on her left side or not, you can only make attempts to be on that side.

Otherwise very well written battle!


Emotion [+2.5]
Really strong and constant emotion all throughout this fight, it was a lot of fun to red. I enjoyed how you tied in past fights to Ashamin’s current experience!


Prose [+3.5]
Really lovely writing with a lot of different vocabulary and well set tones and mood. I loved your imagery and how well it flowed.


Readability [+2.5]
Very readable with few grammar issues or typos, just a couple minor ones.

P1:
“...was focused star-studded mare.” (missing words)
“...rear was unnecessary warning…” (+an)

P2:
“...only watch and fell as his…” (fall)


Finally tally: 42.5+(11.5*2)= 65.5 HP


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