He watched her with a growing smile; his daughter uncomfortably, but determinedly fitting into the role he had provided for her. He hadn't expected the transition to be easy for her, nothing worthwhile ever came from easy. She persevered however, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, its wings draped uselessly on either side while they dried - so Isopia was undergoing a great metamorphosis. But why was she alone? The God of the Earth had thought he'd made himself and his disappointments extremely clear the last time he visited them. Had Archibald taken that as an invitation to do even less? If nothing else the Earth thought the Dauntless would have had the capability of standing alongside her at the meeting, yet as the gathering grew and time wore on, there was not a single hair of Archibald or Loretta's to be seen. From his heavenly position the God of the Earth released an aggravated sigh, the mortal ground below trembling faintly, an almost imperceptible earthquake. Even before Isopia called for him, he had decided to descend upon the herd, to once more pluck the dead weeds from his garden in the hopes that it would renew. It had so much potential to grow into something breathtaking, and yet year after year it repeatedly went to seed. He had thought they just needed time, and so he had waited while he watched. Then he considered that they needed re-planting, a better soil from which to sprout, so to speak, so int he wake of the dark destruction brought on by the wraiths he used that opportunity to drastically alter the herd land into the Hidden Falls it was today, which he thought had been a great improvement over the prior Foothills. Still he watched and waited, but his garden never came. So this last time he visited, he had finally decided he had been too soft, too lenient and forgiving, the river instead of the earth. He had hardened, and in no uncertain terms told them what he expected, what was needed in order to save themselves. Yet here he was again, a horse rising from the rubble of the ground, the top soil crumbling and breaking away across his flesh as it first rose up with him then tumbled off his dusty hide back to the ground. The God of the Earth shook himself, a cloud of dust wafting off him and stirring int he air, drifting to settle upon those whom Isopia had appointed and imbue them with his gifts that would be theirs for as long as they could sustain the responsibility of the role and the loyalty to the herd. He had appeared not beside his daughter, not before his herd, but in the back, beyond them, where one mare and a stallion were already retreating from a gathering that had just begun. Gently a vine reached out from its grasp on a nearby tree, its green hand extended towards Ranjiri's cheek where it offered a comforting touch, both in the physical aspect and the magical one - he wished to soothe her troubled being, though he would never expunge it from her. She needed to be allowed to grieve, but he needed her too. "Ranjiri," he said softly, his gaze snug upon her, though he glanced towards Brendan whom offered her companionship in this time. "The pain you are enduring is unimaginable, and deserves its time to be worn in solitude." He wanted to acknowledge her hurt, because he wasn't blinded to it, but he thought it would make her stronger. More than anything, he thought she would be the one most inclined to fight for something better in the herd, because though she had lost one love, she was still growing another. Mothers were their own forces of nature, and their love knew no end. She would be the perfect balance to Isopia's hard logic; a much better partner than the equally rough Archibald had been. "This is a pain I feel daily when I watch this withering herd," he had begun to approach her slowly now, wings outstretched to lend her what comfort he could. "Please, you can help soothe this for me. You can create something better, for your child." He exhaled steadily, dust visible in his breaths as he leaned his maw towards the grieving widow. "Be my Czarina, Ranjiri." [Will post again once Ranjiri responds] |
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky [meeting + herd quest]
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10-16-2016, 12:01 PM
10-16-2016, 12:56 PM
Ranjiri { "Grief never ends, but it changes. Its a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love." All I wanted was to be alone, but my retreat was stopped by Brendan, the man that had just been promoted to Earth Medic. I was sure that since he was in that position, albeit a new one for him, he was concerned. Surely my behavior wasn't what anyone would consider normal by any means. Even though I didn't want to I stopped and my head swung in his direction. "I'll be fine." I said softly, though at that moment I didn't believe that I ever would be."I'm just tired." Not a complete lie. "I just need to rest." I hoped that he would take my excuse for what it was and return to the meeting that was underway. "Congratulations on your promotion, you'll be great." I forced a faint smile, one that didn't reach my eyes but I was trying my hardest to appear to be okay. I turned, intent on continuing my retreat, but the soft, tender touch against my cheek had me frozen in place. The sound of my name spoken in a voice that I recognized had me turning slowly. Tears welled in my eyes, spilled over, and slowly made their way down my face as the God addressed my grief. "It hurts so much." I whispered. I blinked, listening as the God of the Earth expressed his own pain and watching as he approached, his wings outstretched. My heart ached for him, knowing that he felt the same pain daily, and knowing that he could potentially feel the same pain for the rest of his immortal life. "I'm sorry." I murmured and I stepped forward slowly with the intention to embrace him the same way I had embraced Gaucho and Cera on numerous occasions before if he would allow me to. "But what can I do?" I was only one mare. One grieving mare. "Be my Czarina, Ranjiri." What? I was sure that I looked thunderstruck by his request. Surely there were others far more qualified for that position than I was. I was just a crafter. "What? Czarina? Me?" I finally spoke, unable to form complete sentences. I looked past the God, at the rest of the herd, at Isopia. Slowly, my gaze returned to the God of the Earth and I nodded my head. "Okay." I said, still shocked that he thought enough of me to request this of me. "I won't let you down." I hoped that I could live up to that promise. I wasn't sure what to do next, but I'd been to enough meetings to assume that the correct thing to do was to stand next to Isopia. So I made my way through the crowd and took my position next to the other Czarina. "." aud pixel!
10-17-2016, 12:28 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-17-2016, 12:29 AM by God of the Earth.)
10-17-2016, 09:34 AM
10-20-2016, 02:40 AM
BRENDAN HARDSHIP OFTEN PREPARES AN ORDINARY PERSON FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY DESTINY "I'll be fine." She says. "I'm just tired." She says. "I just need to rest." But something just didn't add up. "Congratulations on your promotion, you'll be great." She smiles, but when I look in her eyes... Well it just doesn't look right. I Was about to press her farther when.... "Father Earth." I whispered softly as he appeared at the mare's side. I watch as a green vine reaches out to touch the mare's cheek. I stay quiet, just watching the very private interaction between the golden marked mare and the God of the Earth. I did at least learn her name. Ranjiri... I said it over and over again in my mind, so that I would not forget. "The pain you are enduring is unimaginable, and deserves its time to be worn in solitude." My attention snaps at once. Pain? I long to move forward and take whatever pain I can from the golden marked woman. That is my job now, right? I try not to eavesdrop, but they are so close that I can not help be hear the conversation. I make a mental note to find Ranjiri later, to attempt to be there for her if she will let me... However the next phrase my ears catch.... Well now I know I do not belong here. "Be my Czarina, Ranjiri." OH MY.... She accepted. Just like that, we have two Czarinas. Then the were moving, and moving toward me and the way back to the herd. As quickly as I could I move back out of the way and trail along behind my newest Czarina. "Congratulations" I whisper softly, just low enough for her ears only. Well, so I hope. Father Earth speaks, announcing his choice to replace Archibald with Ranjiri. I smile, my blue eyes seeking the gaze of the golden marked woman. "LONG LIVE THE CZARINAS!" I find my voice calling out as the God of the Earth made the official announcement. I had gone after Ranjiri, so I had not heard about the quest the Mountain that Knows was attempting to gain us. However, Father Earth turned her down. I nodded, accepting his challenge of making the Falls grow and thrive. But he was right. I am newly crowned as an Earth Medic... One of three leading the healing ranks.... I don't doubt Father Earth's judgement... But... Well this is for sure going to be a challenge. "Talk"
10-21-2016, 10:57 PM
Ranjiri { "Grief never ends, but it changes. Its a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love." The Earth God's denial of Isopia's request took me by surprise, though not as much by surprise as my sudden rise to Czarina. His reasoning made sense, there had been so many that had recently been appointed to new positions that they might not know anything about, but I thought that everyone working together on a project could be a good thing. It would help to build trust and bond everyone together and they could learn their roles in the process. But who was I to voice my disagreement with the God who had just promoted me to lead his herd? I swallowed down what I could of my grief, because standing where I was in the position I suddenly found myself in, grief didn't belong. "Wouldn't working together on a project be beneficial for everyone here?" I voiced my disagreement politely and hoped that he wouldn't think it rude or second guess himself about asking me to be Czarina. It would be an embarrassment to be the shortest reigned Czarina, but I also felt like the God of the Earth was understanding. "It would build trust and camaraderie. And what better way to learn a new trade than to emerse yourself into a project that is rewarding and that you can be proud of?" I tried to sound positive, but I had many doubts that he would rethink Isopia's request. Isopia seemed to accept the Earth God's judgement, however, and that made me second guess myself and wonder if I should have just shut my mouth and accepted the no. There was little that I could do, I couldn't take back my disagreement, and so I sighed softly. "What say you, Czarina? Anything you'd like to add?" My gaze shifted to Isopia then to the herd and it felt so strange to be standing there. "There's a position as mason open now." I said. "If anyone is interested in it speak to us and let us know." "." aud pixel!
<33333
10-29-2016, 05:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-29-2016, 05:47 PM by God of the Earth.)
11-03-2016, 11:15 AM
Aquila
Unblinking, overlarge eyes leave the Earth’s daughter the moment he actually appears, gaze sharpening on him and his vines as he gently caresses a dark, gilded, pregnant mare. And the seahorse blinked at the caring gesture—so at odds with how the Earth God has killed Vjanta and ignored her own requests. Sharp teeth tightened against each other as her jaw suddenly clenched, ribbons of muscle standing out beneath her pebbled skin. Her ears, that had tilted back, swung forward as he spoke—denying the herd’s request for a quest, a purpose. Despite the warrioress thriving on jobs and assigned tasks, she heard and respected the God’s reasoning for denying their request. Look how few had gathered for this meeting, alone—and their patron deity stood in their midsts. Her tail flicked once again around her haunches and warring thoughts and conflicting emotions speared through her mind. Part of her wanted to distrust and despite the God for letting her futilely beg on the hard, black rocks of his ruined shrine. But…perhaps she wasn’t ready either? As a trained warrior, it was now apart of her nature to defer to the decrees of those above her. And if the Earth God claimed the herd was not ready for a quest… Then perhaps he denied her because she was not ready to save her people. Her luminous eyes blinked once as these epiphanies (or rationalizations) filtered through her mind. And then she steeled herself, allowing the coral pieces of decisions to click together—she would become ready, just as this herd would. So, with a dip of her aquamarine bladed head to the two new Czarinas, she began to turn and slip back into a deep pool.
The sea is hell and I am its fury. Aquila needed to come to some internal epiphanies, don't mind her ;) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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