"Where brilliance is good and madness is better..."
Helovia Info
Helovia opened in February 2012! We are an active fantasy equine RPG
Where once the world narrowed into naught but gray dust and desolation, the gods called for life. Wielding the elements of fire and light, dark and wind, earth and water, spark and time, they have created Helovia. The realm is set within the mythical globe of Loorien, a planet rich with all variety of creatures and blessed with all manner of magic. Originally populated by nomadic, tribal characters, they've since grown into massive empires saturated with culture and history. Separated into four distinct segments of Helovia, called "The Regions," each band of horse strong enough and capable enough, took up the power and responsibility of leadership. Unicorns, old, wise and mysterious, took to the north, hidden in forests of mists and shadows and rarely making themselves known beyond their cliffs of the World's Edge. Equines, vast, organized and militaristic, split into two, one group went north to the Windtossed Foothills and the other group went south to the Dragon's Throat. Pegasus remained nomadic, making their homes in various parts of The Wilds in a migratory manner. For many generations, the land was peaceful and calm, but peace was never the way of the gods. With a clash of argument, war and bloodshed massacred Helovia, and in the aftermath, the realm was eerily quiet. Now, as newcomers sweep into this land, they are met with the lingering bitterness of the gods and the struggle to reclaim what was lost. Nothing remains safe or certain while sorcerers and soldiers alike brood and bide their time for revenge, honor and glory.
Site Wide Plots
Kaos :: The Beginning of the End ☼ - 6/2017 - Kaos placed Helovia in a time-bubble for a short period of time, but the Helovian gods are fighting back. But Kaos is powerful- far more powerful than anyone thought. This may be the beginning of the end of Helovia as we know it.
Kisamoa :: A New Kind of Kaos ☼ - 3/2017 - Kisamoa asks Helovians to help him restore the Spectral Marsh. Which side will you choose?
Invasions :: All Out War ☼ - 5/2/16 - New layout and the brand new invasion rules are up! Thank you for your patience and we look forward to getting started with this new adventure.
The Rift :: Gods Do Die ☼ - 8/2015 - Helovia Gods are saving the Rift from corrupt gods! Can Helovians band together against these foreign deities?
The Literal Ship ☼ - 2/8/15 - Oh no! You have to pair up for Valentine's day!
Sky Island :: Murder ☼ - 10/25/14 - Vesta has been found dead on the island, and the gods have called to you to solve the murder!
Sky Island :: Peace ☼ - 7/7/14 - An island has appeared in the sky! Clouds carry Helovians from the Veins to the sky.
Restoration :: We Welcome the Dawn ☼ - 9/21/13 - The sun has finally risen on this day, giving the land new light, but the Time God and the Sun God have yet to be seen.
Endless Night :: Broken Magic Plot ☼ - 8/30/13 - The earth god has returned and is walking across Helovia to heal the land. Every area can now be considered lush and prosperous, but the sun has still not risen.
☼ - 7/19/13 - The moon has risen in the sky, heralding the return of the Goddess of the moon. Lamp trees which light the paths have grown brighter, moon flowers which grow in dark places have begun to grow and prosper and the world is brighter, filled with a new hope.
Endless Night :: Dead Magic Plot ☼ - 6/22/13 - The gods of Helovia, in order to protect the world, have disappeared into the rift, leaving the world sunless, moonless and magic-less in their absence. Only the herdlands have a source of light, but lamp-trees with glowing leaves and branches sporadically line the popular roads and paths from place to place.
Doppleganger Plot ☼ - 6/20/13 - The God of Time is still struggling to close the rift though which the dopplegangers have come. He has requested that his brothers and sister assist in closing this hole, but without knowing why it opened, the task is proving difficult. Magic still remains faulty and hard to control, but the herdlands continue to be places of refuge for those who are fortunate enough to call these lands home.
ORANGEMOON cools off the lands with a a viscious force. Colder than normal, a sign of things to come during Frostfall, Helovia is bathed in a rich tropical lushness - albiet a cold one. The coastlines of the Dragon's Throat are pelted constantly by tidal waves, and the desert climate is humid but chilly. Ice begins to form early in the Aurora Basin leaving the winding trails slick and dangerous. The mists of the World's Edge coat everything in a glistening crystalline shine which encourages mould to grow everywhere. The Spectral Marsh is the only area which remains fertile, blissfully temperature and lush.
Cotm
Character of the Month for
June, 2017
WEAVER, Corporal of the Aurora Basin, is a relatively recent addition to Helovia and has taken it by storm. Branded with the seal of Death on her chest, intrigue and interest follow both her past and present. Though she is assuredly beautiful, her sometimes sharp personality reveals that there is more to this uni-peg hybrid than meets the eye. Proving herself able on the battlefield in the Basin’s warrior ranks, we can’t wait to see her test her mettle against the looming Kaos happenings! Congratulations!
Helovia RPG was created by Tamme and Blu and coded by Tamme also known as Schwartze. All coding, palettes and imagery are copyrighted to the website and are not for use outside of Helovia. Thank you to our ServerMaster for hosting Helovia. A special thanks goes to Neo for all of her coding help and fixing Tamme's errors, Boom, for her loyal service and creation of the Time God, and to Ali for her consistent contributions and dedication.
Cera They doused your soul in water but the flames raised higher
The weather had begun to turn cold, frost creeping in slowly as if to spare the Helovians from further misery after all the loss and bloodshed they had suffered. Cera was not safe from the pangs in his deepest and oldest scars, the ones that twinged and ached like throbbing heartbeats as the temperatures slowly began to drop. It did nothing to persuade him to hand off this assignment to Ranjiri or any of the other acolytes, nor did it slow his eager pace across the quieting biomes on their journey to the World's Edge. They were a small group and they moved quickly enough, but Cera's excitement was liable to get the best of him at times. He had been crafting most of his life, the talent not deeming to abandon him even when he was named Diviner. It sang like a comforting song inside of his blood, but this was the first time he would ever fully work with another herd. Maren's church deserved all of it and more, but this was the first major project - aside from the half-finished wall - that Cera would ever orchestrate from beginning to end. And it was the first time he'd been allowed to coordinate the exchange with the other leads and crafters of the World's Edge.
Cera had lived his life trying to do his best, to build the Throat into the powerhouse it deserved to be, even if he felt his actions were minuscule in comparison to what others had done. He was well into adulthood but still quite young, but at last he could finally use peacetimes to organize trade that would benefit his herd in more important, impacting ways. He could not help the way his hooves carried him faster through the trees as the Edge land grew closer, ignoring how Ilaria slapped him exasperatedly with the thick fur of her tail. We can finally be useful Ilaria, I can't help it, the Prince excused himself almost helplessly, heart hammering off-beat. He wanted to prove himself, to take charge. He wanted to show Gaucho that he was worthy of the responsibility, that he could be trusted for more than just forging impeccable crafts. While the Golden took great pride in his skill and the quality of his work, it wasn't the same as showing Gaucho that he was capable of things like diplomacy and inter-herd relations.
It's not our place to prove that to him, Ilaria reminded him softly, though Cera knew she was doing so for his own sake. Ilaria often entertained notions of Cera ascending to a title worthy of what she considered him to be. Magnificent. Cera had always dispelled those daydreams, but in his heart of hearts he could not deny that sometimes he wanted more. But in a herd ruled by the militant and battle proficient, Cera had slowly begun to lose hope that he would ever be known as more than the amazing forger that turned the Throat into a paradise of machinery and crafted works.
This was his starting point, and he would not let them down. The Throat or the Edge.
As the borders became more apparent, Cera paused respectfully and tried to calm his beating heart. It did not show on the outside, if only because he was excited rather than fearful, but it would keep him from losing his head just in case. The Prince did not want to feel like a child here, with tripping tongue and eager, clumsy hooves. He had outgrown that. So he lifted his head proudly, wings tucking silver and elegant at his sides, and took strength in the presence of the entourage alongside him.
With no handy magic like Megaera's, Cera settled for the traditional route, lifting his pale muzzle to the sky to whinny into the mists roiling upon the earth. Hopefully they would not be left waiting for long.
@Ampere and @Maren and @Ranjiri but let's try and keep it short! @Tembovu and @Elsa to come meet them? They're here to trade the beginnings of a metal drawbridge in return for church windows :) if only one large item is being traded then Ranjiri need not post, so just prod on skype depending!
Please only tag starting posts, spars, and threads collecting dust!
She flew in relative silence, her mind heavy with thoughts (Maren would surely disapprove). She kept thinking of what Cera had whispered to her as they built the church, and the memory of it caused her to glance towards him. She wanted to take him up on the offer, but now wasn't the time with business to attend to. So when is the time? she asked herself in all seriousness, but she had no answer to give, because as always there was business to attend to, or at least something she wanted to hide from herself. Maybe luck would design their paths to cross later.
For now though she focused on flight, or drifted on it rather, it being second nature by now. Still she enjoyed the pressure of the wind all around her, like a quiet support that she was hungry for. Her aerial view was a tactical choice, allowing her to better watch over their grounded components. She did not fly far above, nor fast for this reason, but merely glided and hung.
She was familiar with the Edge, or at least was more familiar with it than the other herds. She still intended to entreaty the Hidden Falls on a similar mission as this, but they couldn't spread their promises too thin too fast. Still she was as excited as the rest, anxious to see this church built. Though not overly pious, Ampere was beginning to think the structure could also serve as a place of learning, like an academy. The could instruct the herd on well, anything really, but of course her thoughts drifted to teaching about companions.
Could she teach the whole of Helovia from it? Was this the change she had been seeking all her years here? Not bickering, or yelling, or prowling for eggs, but accepting the inevitability of the bonds and instructing horses on how best to work with them? She couldn't deny that bonds existing at all wouldn't bother her, but if she could at least be sure the companions were as well taken care of as possible, that they weren't tools or ghosts of their horse counterpart, she could rest easier.
How to get everyone to come would be a challenge, but she supposed they needed to build it first. Circling around to land as Cera bugled, Ampere awaited the Edge's response with bridled excitement.
02-17-2016, 07:31 AM (This post was last modified: 02-17-2016, 07:33 AM by Maren.)
She was following Cera's quickly moving beat as her throat was shaping content humming sunds as they went. Even though she still worried, the weight that she bad been carrying felt so much lighter for some miraculous reason, ever since she had found Tea's egg. The paws of her companion were pressing on both sides of her neck, while his body bounced along with her movements. Feeling unusually carefree, Maren had just now joined the crew. She had been minding her own business since the early morning in the Thistle Meadow where she'd slept. In other words; laying around in the winter-sun, cozy'ing up in the thin layers of snow with Mr. Teatime. Now however, she was contently following Cera's butt to the World's Edge, ready to be on standby in case Cera would need help with — If the Edge would agree with their proposal — their part of the trade. In exchange for that, they hoped to get the Glaziers to mend the windows for the Church.
As her golden eyes were still unconsciously tracking the graceful movements of Cera's swaying hips, she wondered what it would be like to live on the mainland — and then mostly the part of not having to cross an ocean before getting to decent grass-plains, ones that did not gave the aftertaste of salt and/or dust. But as they closed in on the Edge's herd-land, they were welcomed by trails of mist. For some reason Maren's brain decided to see it as a greeting and she accidentally blew out some foggy circles of her own, forgetting it would perhaps slightly obscure the visions of her crew as well. Nevertheless, she could not help think; when thick enough, anyone could get lost in here. Was this their ‘ocean’? — Was this their protection-mechanism in case of invasions? Or was it simply hiding forms of delusion from them as they continued to the Edge’ borders?
Anyhow, she liked it, and she wished she wasn’t here primarily to play merchants with Cera and Ampere. Perhaps she would still have time to enjoy a dance with the mists when all the business was done.
When the stallion in front of her paused, she managed to squirm around him just in time. The Diviner went to stand next to the Golden Prince, putting her hoof on a rest as her gaze wandered. From the sky Ampere ascended, who had been flying not to far from them as they had traveled onward on hoof. Her burgundy shaded eyes fell to the ground, where they got pulled towards the sight of something shimmering on the ground; pieces of broken glass as if there had been a glass wall here, or a mirror perhaps. She wondered about it as her half-spread wings lay still in the air. Behind her, tangled and covered by the tiger mare’s ivory mane, the tiger babe yawned and she assumed it had gone back to sleep.
Head raises, navy eyes slicing to the misted borders. The whinnying call rolled through the mists, bounced between the trunks, and landed heavily in the King’s ears. The black-rimmed funnels tilted backwards, the smallest flashes of unease rippling through him. He didn’t know why, perhaps it was the encroaching shadows in him that had begun to cast their darkness on all part of the Elephant’s thoughts.
Except for Mbwene. The small elephant was a pinpoint speck of light in the icy sea of fear in the stallion. And, day by day, the speck was growing. Slowly, steadily, the light spread tendrils. It was never-ending, forever fighting back the multiplying gloom. But it was something.
The small elephant in question was well ahead of the giant. (He was so slow.) So it was on her heels that his sweeping strides carried him to the source of the call, long legs catching up to the curious pachyderm. Dark blue gaze alights on a pale golden station, striking wings folding along his lithe sides. A striped woman with wings behind her ears (Tembovu had to look twice to be certain he saw correctly), gazed around beside him. Her bright gold gaze could be seen even from a distance. And a third, a dark, blue-tinged pegasus circled to land.
He knew only one of them. The electric-blue mare he had seen once, screaming and storming about Mauja’s companion, Irma, nearly dying at a Rift battle. But never had he known her name. Regardless, a thick column of leg moved sideways, ivory hoof landing squarely in front of Mbwene to halt her curious progression. It was met with an irate trumpet, trunk wrapping tightly around his cannon bone and yanking. But to no avail, the King’s limb stayed firmly in place, keeping his young bonded safely alongside him.
A welcoming smile turned up the corners of his thick lips, though his dark eyes remained untouched by the warmth spreading on his face. “Hello, I am Tembovu, King of the Edge. To what do we owe such impressive company?” Dark eyes drift to each visitor in turn, awaiting the reason for summoning the Elephant King.
@Cera sorry for the delay. It will be just 1 large item, and I think Klare is about to go on Absent! For the sake of speeding this along, @Anzanie can join whenever in the posting order.
02-22-2016, 09:05 AM (This post was last modified: 02-22-2016, 09:06 AM by Anzanie.)
Anzanie
Nothing splendid was ever created in cold blood.
Heat is required to forge anything.
Every great accomplishment is the story of a flaming heart.
The cold biting winds had seemed to drop but even in the Frostfall daytime it was hard to find much respite from the harsh colds even so early on. Anzanie's thoughts drifted back to the little Viserra who she had left tucked up in the vicinity of her safe area, feeling the need to be away from her little offspring for just a moment. In this moment the splashed princess felt a need to be away from her, the resentment for her little daughter increasing the more time she had spent away from Misael. But no matter, she knew she was safe until Anzanie went back to her and there was a compelling pull dragging her to a certain part of the Edge.
Was it an existential component that made her feel like picking up her heels and tailing it down to the call? She did not know, but what the fae did know was to go.
***
She spotted several creatures in her pools, with the feeling of mystery growing ever deeper as she wondered why she felt pulled towards where they moved. A band of three creatures had wandered over the terraria, their bodices still blurry in her vision as she tried to catch their scent. She had no idea who they were, but soon saw the figure of a creature she would have spotted a mile off - her King. Tembovu in all his majesty was also there, and she felt like she knew now why she was being silently called. Was the duties of Anzanie as a Glazier needed or was this a fluke? With the feeling of uncertainty deep still wedged within her mind. Picking up her lithe pillars the elegant lady stepped across the season-hardened ground that was covered in frost and hurdled through the trees to where the group stood. If her friend needed help Anzanie was there (not that she had any military capabilities). But as she came closer the mood between the four seemed good. The elephant had greeted the three strangers with a regal kindness and in turn she tilted her cranium in her sweet greeting to her friend before giving herself time to look at the three characters.
One brute and two faes, none of them she knew. The brute was splashed like herself but with a paler coat, almost of vanilla whilst the one fae bore a pretty ivory draped in mahogany striped coat with small wings behind her lobes. And then the final stranger was a striking colour of dark hues and azures that gave her the appearance of a physical being of lighting, particularly with her wings. It was at that point that she spoke to Tembovu with a friendly tone, her words a mark of respect in front of the creatures she did not know, "Good day my King, I hope you are well," she continued to him before facing her attention to the other three, "I would like to speak with you alone when we have the chance." Finishing her formal greeting and with an idea sparking in her head she put aside in her comment and turned her pretty cranium towards the others, "I am Anzanie, Glazier of the Edge. It is nice to meet you all."
Niceties in a formal situation were a long-known trait and form of etiquette by Anzanie during her younger years, and now she was going to use it and hopefully flatter Tembovu at the same time. Anzanie wanted her friend to have a professional friend in her, particularly now, just as she wanted respect for the position of Head Glazier in the Edge from other creatures. Was Anzanie finally growing up?
[OOC: Brought this in at the right time I hope! Got this in quick whilst I have time but consider this as Anzanie ready to do the trade either in this thread or a separate thread if necessary.]
Cera They doused your soul in water but the flames raised higher
The trio was not left in their bubble of solitude for very long. Though the vastness of the land should have made hearing their call difficult, Helovia seemed to showcase an eternal talent of making sure individuals where in the right place at the right time for such matters. Perhaps Cera should feel more nervous, but...he simply isn't. Maren is on one side and Ampere on the other, and surely he must be the odd one to find such deep, abiding joy in their presence beside him. This what the Throat stands for, he thinks with pride hot and valiant in his breast. He loves the mares so deeply in that moment that even the elephant king cannot shake or shudder the earth beneath his firmly rooted hooves. The Prince faces the reserved smile with a contrasting warmth that he cannot shake, eyes like summer grasses and frame relaxed and inviting. Exuding a calm, peacefully joyous aura that he hopes will somehow reach the stoic King.
Cera is not without his manners, chin ducking towards his breast as title and name are both revealed, a respectful gesture. And yet he realizes belatedly, in a fit of sudden amusement, that they are rather impressive company, whether Tembovu is aware of it or not. The Forger, the Diviner, and the Chancellor. Creation, divination, and protection. They are joined shortly by a painted lass who introduces herself as another crafter, slipping from the mists as if aware Cera was preparing to speak and not wanting to miss out on the pleasantries. The Prince smiles at her, pleased that she has arrived when it is she who will fulfill his desires. Or so he hopes.
"My name is Cera, head forger of the Dragon's Throat. Let me introduce Ampere, our Chancellor, and our Diviner Maren," lightly smiling muzzle tilts towards each mare in turn, feathers ruffling and smoothing subtly in his excitement, eyes flickering momentarily towards Anzanie. "We were hoping to strike a trade with you and yours, Tembovu. The Dragon's Throat is in need of glass windows for one of our projects, and in return for your potential cooperation, Maren and I would gladly supply our metal for whatever your herd desires," the stallion elaborated, not wanting to waste anybody's time with rambling pleasantries and struck poses that only served to peacock and show off ridiculous traits Cera had no business with.
Instead of letting his useless loose tongue ruin things, Cera merely settled back onto his hocks and awaited Tembovu's and Anzanie's reactions, a pleasant buzz of hope and excitement itching beneath his skin.
Horses that she did not expect were the ones that responded to Cera's summons, and something that wasn't a horse at all.
Her eyes widened noticeably as a small, obviously young, elephant marched through the mists to greet them. Her trunk swayed out of pattern with her ears, and her legs pounded at an awkward, but powerful pace. Ampere had seen a lot of creatures in her travels and in Helovia, but this was fascinating.
And of course, the poor thing was chained.
Perceptible sadness flooded her gaze as Tembovu's limb curled in front of her, blocking her, shielding her, caging her. The complaining trumpet in response set Ampere's teeth on edge, and Kygo responded to her sudden flare of anger with his own shriek from his perch among the trees. He'd followed Ampere in her slip stream, small and quiet as her speed of flight often tired him. He was curious about this new land though, but took shelter in their forests to regain his strength for the inevitable return trip.
His sound was like the knife in her back; her ears flicked back and she silenced their bond with a mental wall. Kygo quieted, for the time being.
Doing her best to swallow her personal problems, Ampere regained her composure with an amicable-enough nod as Cera introduced them. Thank the gods for the Golden Prince she thought, applauding his manners and diplomacy. As her head lifted her gaze flicked from the tawny stud to the painted mare that drew alongside him, her etiquette just as commendable. It fit with what Ampere remembered of the Edge, always so nice and well mannered. Still, she was curious of this new king, Tembovu, as he introduced himself. He was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place him...
"The Elephant King, right?" she asked matter of factly, knowing at least that much of him. She assumed elephant was what his companion was, and she found his name similar to her own in that regard. The thought drew a playful simper to her lips, but there was no joy behind it. "Last I heard the Frozen Light and the Bloodskald reigned here." It was a question, even if she didn't ask it. She wasn't sad by any means to hear the leadership had shifted, but she was curious in the change, and it was imperative that she detail the knowledge to her leads. Anticipating a response she watched Tembovu, interested in how much he might divulge. She trusted Cera and Maren would see to it that the crafting part of this trip was handled, she was now much more intrigued by chess and all its kings and queens.
From the center of a dark, misty frame there was a movement. Maren watched the darkness that surrounded it with vigilance behind her silent eyes. Quickly, it was developing, there was — there was a… a small elephant. The diviner scraped her throat casually, but couldn’t hide her surprise in the extra blink that had her eyelashes flutter once too many. Mr. Teatime seemed to have woken up as well, she noticed, as his clumsy paws started to move around on her striped back. Via the waterfall that was Maren’s long ivory mane the tiger cub launched himself back to the ground and waddled off to (probably) properly introduce himself to the small elephant.
Meanwhile, Maren’s vigilance had returned when the large, bulky frame of a stallion arose from behind the obscurity of the border. His horn shimmered in the little light there was and she could not say she had seen markings like his before. The stallion introduced himself as Tembovu, King of the Edge. He seemed welcoming enough, even went so far as to call them an impressive company. Yet all that Maren could seem to wonder was Where is Mauja? Had he lost his throne? (And if so, wasn’t that for the better, the way he had looked last time she had seen him?) Still, she did feel some sadness, if only slightly.
Beside the stallion a mare appeared, which Maren thought at first might be his spouse. Nevertheless, her language felt too distant for Maren to keep holding on to that thought. She was, however, the so called ‘Glazier’, which meant she would be the one helping them out, would their trading succeed. Knowing that, Maren’s lips curled up into a nice smile when she looked from Tembovu to the girl-unicorn, Anzanie, and nodded to her as well to show off her appreciation, perhaps hoping this way not blow a possible relationship in the near future — not this time.
Of course she had always been aware how Cera was more of an expert when it came down to being good company, so she was more than happy to let him do the honors of introducing their fellowship. Maren watched his integrity and honest excitement from the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t help but smile seeing him like that, realizing that there really was a lot left for her to learn about playing nice. She thus tried to support him as well as she could. “Goodday, ” she greeted, her voice resounding in its clarity, framed inside a range of exotic tunes, but not giving away anymore of the possibilities than was necessary for this kind of formality.
Mr. Teatime responded to Maren’s words by turning his eyes to her for a second. When he noticed it was nothing special, he quickly returned to his playful game, for which he had nestled himself in the tall grass, waiting for the best time to jump at the (for him) giant elephant, or something.
"Last I heard the Frozen Light and the Bloodskald reigned here." Ampere’s swift notation left Maren’s eyebrows to rise, even though almost unnoticeably. There was not anything else in her expression that could give away her slight amusement and actual interest in the remark, though. The diviner was aware that it hadn’t been the wisest thing to say, seeing as they were here to trade and the bluebird might as well ruin their bargaining by letting her tongue slip once to many. As it was, none of them really knew who they were talking to, where he stood in this everlasting political slumber-fest. Yet, for less than a second, there was a shimmer of intriguement in Maren’s golden eyes, sparkling before the obscure. The most fragile kings are the new kings, she pondered behind her silent expression. Still, Ampere seemed to know her game well and had made sure she stayed on neutral grounds with her wording. Maren appreciated that, for even though she supported the mare, senseless stupidity wouldn’t help their church any farther, either.
Navy eyes follow the dipping head of the Golden Prince, his own great skull mimicking in to al lesser degree as the massive, ebony horn sliced through the misted air. Though his gaze is torn from the fiercely proud face to find the angry squawk that pierced from the trees above Ampere. The King’s gaze did not find the small conure, but it did find the sadness quickly swallowed by composure on the blue-bay’s striking face.
He blinked once, finding no electric anger or flying insults. Either decorum gentled the woman’s temper or something more had changed her. Regardless, the Elephant shifted his thick forelimb, freeing his young companion as no obvious danger sparked from the dark pegasus. Mbwene greeted this freedom with a gleeful, brassy squeak— after swatting Tembovu’s leg with her trunk for good measure.
The King, aside from failing to suppress a grin at his companion’s antics, ignored her as he looked to the splashed Anzanie halting beside him. He smiled warmly in greeting and nodded to affirm her request for a later audience with himself, and she saved him from needing to introduce her as she does so with ettiequte reminiscent of her royal past.
He looked to Cera, who apparently was spearheading the Dragon’s Throat party. Though his face remained trained to the gilded stallion, his eyes landed on Ampere and Maren as they were introduced. Cobalt eyes rested on Maren’s bright gold ones as she spoke a simple greeting— though nothing more came from her pale lips; it was Cera who continued so speak.
Mbwene, seizing her freedom, met the tiger cub’s greeting and pounce halfway. Being an infant, herself, she was too young to fully understand the waves of ‘importance’ and ‘seriousness’ that were rolling through her bond. She saw only oversized paws and fluffy tiger fur that required inspection by her inquisitive trunk. Indeed, the long and unwieldy appendage was seeking the soft fuzz that poked out beneath his ears (and hopefully not pulling it too hard win her curiosity).
Tembovu’s attention, however, remained on the man speaking of trade. The giant was glad that Anzanie so opportunely stood beside him, her slender frame warm beside his thick hide. A smile crosses his broad jaw, head dipping once in agreement with the terms. Not only would this trade benefit both herds (for metal was useful), but also the King recognized the opportunity for laying the foundations of goodwill with the Throat. “The Edge is honored by such a prominent party and the offer for trade. We gladly accept, though I will have to discuss with my fellow leader before deciding upon what we will obtain in return for the windows,” he pauses, turning his attention briefly to his Glazier, “Anzanie, I will watch after your daughter while you craft in the Throat, if you do not wish for her to make the journey.”
“The Elephant King, right?” Gaze sliced to the carefully curious questions (and non-questions) of Ampere. A lopsided grin burgeoned on his thick lips as he glanced down towards the small elephant that was now pestering the tiger cub. “I go by that,” his low voice rumbled with amusement in his answer, though it faded as he continued, “Torliek no longer resides in this herd, nor does he find favor with the Moon. Mauja, however, does still call the Edge his home. But it is Elsa the Icebound who rules alongside me.” The deep roll of his words paused, eyes studying the voltaic woman as he moved the chess pieces on the board of politics. He often had watched others do so, watched the puppeteering so that he might destroy an empire. But doing so, himself, was new to the King.
“Give my and Elsa’s greetings to Gaucho and Megaera,” he smiled. “If there is nothing else you wish of the Edge?” he paused, waiting, “I wish you a safe journey back to the Throat.” Mbwene’s ears flapped in irritation, she was not yet ready to bid the tiger-cub adieu.
Nothing splendid was ever created in cold blood.
Heat is required to forge anything.
Every great accomplishment is the story of a flaming heart.
The splashed listened to the trio that had found themselves in her homeland alongside her King. They all introduced themselves to the pair (but evidently mainly Tembovu), all with the recognition of regal duties and a manner of political awareness. They were each polite and Anzanie's brain tried to swallow down all the information of each. Cera, the Head Forger, Ampere the Chancellor and Maren the Diviner, which Anzanie assumed was their religious consort. All were high ranking just like herself, but she still felt herself being the one without the grand title and grandeur even with her royal lines. She felt a nobody in this melee of creatures. Perhaps it was that she saw these as part of the golden herd? The splashed princess did not know what she felt, so she dipped her skull to all three as Cera introduced them and spoke with as much confidence as she could muster, "A pleasure, Cera, Ampere, Maren." And then Cera made clear their intentions for esentially trespassing into their lands. They wanted to trade, and then Anzanie understood why she had been brought here by her instincts: her abilities.
Ampere then went about putting a name to Tembovu, one that fitted him perfectly as he was indeed their Elephant King. She was so matter of fact of this that her dark bodice did not seem to wince as she addressed him. A tint of jealousy boiled within her bodice as she gazed at such pretty faes, both Ampere and Maren a sight that felt put her own to shame. But she soon let this slip as she wondered why she was even bothered. Besides, Anzanie was here to do a job.
Ampere's words seemed to create a reaction from the other fae of the Throat, Maren. Her eyebrows raised as she spoke of the Edge's former leaders, but she decided to remain silent. Tembovu was King here, and he would address them all in the manner that mattered. Her attention then fixed on her friend, watching him intently with her sweet gaze. Underneath her exterior there boiled something, but her beautiful gave nothing away. Perhaps only her pools. She watched the newest addition to their herd, the little elephant that must have been Tembovu's companion. She mused at the antics that it seemed to play with the tiger cub that could have been anybody's in the mass. She could feel the warmth of her friend as he spoke to the group, extending the invitation to Anzanie to travel with them to Throat.
She smiled eagerly, feeling the desire to explore an otherwise non-negotiable territory with almost total freedom. Surely if she did the trade and did it well with them, they would be able to show her around? She had heard that the terraria was a desert, similar to the hot tropics and oasis ground Irrespitine found itself situated in. She nodded to him, her pools glistening with so much emotion and need to get going with the trio as they went back home, "I would gladly go to the Throat and be part of our exchange, Tembovu. I thank you for taking care of my daughter in the process, I will speak to you before I leave regarding this." She smiled at only him, before then turning her cranium back to the three faces that stood before her, "When you are ready I will be escorted to your territory."
Word then went back to the current and former leaders of the Edge, something that did not particularly interest the splashed fae as she had never met Mauja nor Torleik. But the news of Elsa becoming leader was both surprising and enlightening. Her friend had become the highest ranking creature in the Edge.
Cera They doused your soul in water but the flames raised higher
Though this is his vessel to carefully steer through the choppy waters of diplomacy, the Prince is not without his supportive entourage. Together their personalities created an odd, distilled mix; far more intriguing than oil and water, gleaming bright and sharp like an array of different metals. There are things that lay beyond his grasp of consciousness, but where his steps falter in his mind, Ampere strides forward to support the weak link of his knowledge. There is no note of sourness as she smoothly utilizes the King’s title, the Prince welcoming her personal experience with a hidden wry grin at the blunt, grey-area question that lilts off her tongue. Cera is often perceived as too kind for sharp words and the cut of reality, and while someday he is sure to display those attributes, it does nothing to prevent his own private amusement at Ampere’s attractively graceless nature.
Luckily it did not seem to have much of an effect on the towering King, his words as gilded as Cera’s hide, though the Forger did not mind the social dance. It always had a way of removing the familiarity of words, the subtle shifts that spoke of more than facts and allegiances. “Take as much time as you require,” Cera offered simply with a dip of his cherubic face. Though his tongue desired to suggest a thousand projects beneficial to the topography of the Edge, he refrained. Whatever they sought of his skills would be completed, so long as Maren’s church was actualized.
As Anzanie was brought into conversation through the slow rumble of Tembovu’s voice, Cera cast his gaze obligingly towards the painted mare. His heart ached at the mention of a child, remembering bicolored orbs and soft, stuttering phrases. A child of ebonite and ruby, disappearing without a trace into the frigid north, leaving a similarly frigid hole in his and his sister’s hearts. It prompted the soft words that came next, a tone of somber understanding, perhaps even grief and sympathy for those in company who knew him well enough. “I or a soldier will be sure to escort you back home when you have finished, Miss Anzanie. No trouble will keep you from your foal and family if we can stop it.” It was spoken a little quieter than previous words, a more intimate phrase that did not require the stiff formality of their meeting.
Emerald eyes flickered back to Tembovu with a gentle veneer cast upon his obstinately young features. “I shall pass on the greeting. Thank you, Tembovu. We will see to her comfort.” With a fleeting smile the Prince directed his nod towards the land behind him, beckoning Anzanie into the wilds with he and his sisters, to the desert where the structure awaited her.
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AKA Brit sucks, life sucks, here's a late post to wrap things up
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