the Rift


[OPEN] Blood From A Bitten Tongue. [Lakota, Ktulu and Open]

Hana Posts: N/A
Unregistered
:: :: ::
#1

The weather was amazing, clear skies and a perfect balance of a warm sun and a cool breeze. A young mare was out of place though, walking through the imaginary no man's land. Only her soft steps and swish of her tail could be heard by those in a close perimeter to the young mare. Within her mindset she was determined to make her approach to the foothill's border as stealthy as possible. She was not sure she would be welcome back, her rather untimely disappearance had no doubt not gone unnoticed. Her absence was not on purpose, her feet had merely carried her far and she had gotten lost. In her time out in the big bad world though she had learnt a few life lessons, however she did not miss the whispers of her former herd taking over the Foothills. Ruby eyes looked over the landscape, it was no doubt beautiful and looked quite peaceful. Hana's front hooves stopped at the border but she had been so taken with the landscape that she still did not have a developed or valid excuse for disappearing for so many months. Best to just be honest, no matter how embarrassing it was. The mare's dainty lips parted to exhale a long breath, she tired to find her voice but nerves seemed to block her from being able to use her vocal cords. A frustrated sigh was exhaled through her nostrils, she had been protected all her life by her older siblings. Now that she was standing alone, without their help and guidance she found herself in a bit of a...well in a bit of a flap.

A slight clearing of her throat and her eyes settled on the Foothills. However she backed up a few steps flicking her tail in agitation. Why was she being such a wimp? Lakota was in there, her sister. Hana turned her ears around searching for any sounds. She had no doubts that she was being watched, ever hopeful she was though, that no one would approach her while she was still unable to explain why she was here, even more why she had disappeared from so long. She wasn't even sure if The Grey had wanted her in the first place, let alone if they wanted her back. Shaking out her mane, the young mare now was feeling a little light headed from the panic she was experiencing. Without a voice, there was no way she was ever going to see her sister again, they had both sworn that they would never be separated again. Well so much for that, admittedly it was Hana's fault but the young mare still felt the tinniest trace of hurt. Her sister didn't find her. 'It was your fault Hana! You can't blame Lakota!" She thought to herself. Licking her chops Hana stepped onto the border again ready to call forth anyone from The Grey and her sister. Her sister, she hoped her darkness hadn't taken over. She loved Lakota deeply but was worried that someday her older sibling would go over the edge.

"Uhh.." Not quite the intelligent sentence she was expecting. Gently clearing her throat again, ruby eyes set on the foothills. Who should she call forward first though? Her heart burned for her sister but Hana would not drag her sister into her mess. No first she should speak to Ktulu, get her mess sorted out and then she would summon her sister. Also Ktulu was the one who had originally accepted her into The Grey, she also had stuck her neck out for Hana. The younger mare was scared a little now to face the consequences of her actions, however she would not back away from this. "Ktulu." She called out into the Foothills hoping someone would hear her. "I would like to, please, request an audience with you." Waiting always seemed to take forever, only in this case the young mare wouldn't mind a few more moments to get herself together before facing Ktulu. A breeze playfully fluttered smaller pieces of her mane and tail around. The shiver that ran down the young mare's back had nothing to do with the wind though. The nerves where still pumping through her like crazy and Hana was starting to wish that she had called her sibling first instead of Ktulu. Not only did Hana respect the female leader, she also feared her slightly.

[[OOC; Just feel i should mention that i based some parts of this post to posts made by the person who played Hana before me. If something is wrong I apologise. lol]]

HANA
And I won't lie they keep me on my toes these days.

image credits
table by whit

Lakota the Poisoner Posts: 278
Deceased atk: 5.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 4.5
Mare :: Equine :: 15.1hh :: 7 Years HP: 64 | Buff: NOVICE
Aodaun :: Polar Bear :: Terrorize Brit
#2
Lakota
                     Her smile makes you wonder where she's been



No longer does the sun shine beautifully upon the trees of her home for long hours at a time, creating moving images of dappled golden waves upon the grass below. Heat, too, has diminished as the seasons lovingly curtsied, bowed, shook hands, and lovingly bid each other goodbye and good luck as one retired and the other took over. Orangemoon was a hard time for Lakota, the hardest season she ever had to face. Every time she caught a glimpse of orange, her heart ached for a past she could never have back. Aodaun did not understand this pain, and often watched her with sad, worried eyes of violet that were a shade or two darker than her own. He was young still, oblivious to the ways of the world, and the heartbreak he felt through their bond made him whine and paw at her legs in confusion. Lakota brushed him off when the heartache was too fresh, or would lower her muzzle for him to wrap his stubby arms around and comfort him when she was still sound of mind and logic. Ithrim plagued her thoughts, but she was relieved to discover that it was a fond sadness she felt. Slowly, Lakota was beginning to let her deceased love go. It was hard, but she knew she had to try and follow through with the promise she had made to follow his dying wish. For her to find love again. And though she had discovered it in many ways since arriving in Helovia, there were only one or two sparks she had truly shown interest in for romance of any sort. It was tentative at best, especially considering her own personality that seemed to be much like a hedgehog or a porcupine- soft underneath should you somehow manage to flip it over without hurting yourself, but with spiny needles that kept all others from even trying to approach it.

But, in the end, Lakota has decided that it is time she lets Ithrim rest. He deserves it, and with every day she forces herself to watch those orange leaves until they break off and fall, and with every one she says some new sort of goodbye. I love you, be safe where you are. Or maybe it hurts to say goodbye, but I know you're waiting for me when I am old and happy. And slowly she lets go. And it is long overdue, but love makes you crazy, and Ithrim's name both brings her great joy and great sorrow. Instead, she focuses on what she has accomplished. Here she stands on earth she has fought for, and won. In her veins runs magic that allows her to heal those she cares for, and harm those who try to hurt them. Aodaun trots at her side, a protector inside the body of a small child. He will grow into a polar bear of large proportions, with the fighting ability to match, but for now he is a babe that needs both nurturing and tutoring. He loves her, and she loves him. She thinks of Ktulu, the young leader she would die for. Ktulu is a sister and a child, a leader and a friend. Kota couldn't imagine ever following someone else, and she is relieved to have finally found a soul she clicks with so easily. They fell into their odd friendship without truly realizing it, and Kota wouldn't have it any other way.

So as she's strolling the cool meadows, twining between trees like the dark panther of a mercenary she is, Ktulu's name catches her ears. Lakota is always there for her Chieftess, a silent force in every encounter where she is needed. But not only does that start her hooves in the direction of the voice, it is the voice itself that draws her. How could she not know that voice? She has heard it since she was young, first in tiny babbles of a newborn and then in eloquent strings befitting a mare that would eventually have to take the throne from her when Lakota killed their father, was tortured, and aided in escaping by the mare with that very same voice. Found once more in a wood where all travelers came, only to disappear soon after joining their band. Many emotions claw their way to the surface, fighting for attention and clamoring for dominance. Joy, because she loves Hana and is happy that she has returned. Worry, because Hana had disappeared without a word and without a trace. Anger, because her herd is on the same level of importance as her family, and Hana had deserted both without a second thought. There are more, the shades of grey in the black and white world of emotions she named originally.

Long dark legs take her onward, royal plum eyes glinting in the sunlight that was scattered between the trees. Ao whined softly, and she mentally shushed him. Obediently he returned to her side, knowing what was coming was important now. Instead of trying to sort through her conflicting emotions with his young mind, he sent her waves of comfort and love to try and help calm her. Lakota had so desperately wanted to find her sister, but they had been planning an invasion that could start at any moment, and she had been busy recruiting, preparing, sparring. She could not abandon all of them for her sister, forsaking them for one person, no matter how much she loved her. Oh, how she had wanted to, but her military brain had refused to allow her such sentiments. It was a short walk, one she didn't particularly enjoy and even tried to prolong.

These trees had become as much of a home to her as the ones of the Deep Forest had, and she navigated them with ease. Refusing to allow the turmoil to show upon her face, she took a slow breath and eased herself back to the cool facade she always wore. Calm, collected, elegant. Aristocratic. Even after leaving her crown behind in the dust of her old home, she was still a princess in mannerisms. As if melting from the shadows, the smooth gait with which she approached her sister was slow and languid. Violet irises never left her sister's ruby. Aodaun was a presence at her side that her sister was not familiar with, but that was her fault from the conclusions Lakota was able to draw about her disappearing act. Of course she always tried to never assume, but the worry and ache in her heart over the possibility that Hana had been disgusted by her life as a mercenary had never truly left. Stopping in a perfect pose of profession and importance, fully claiming her title both as a medic and a fighter, she inclined her head slightly to her sister. Reaching out to share scents, brush muzzles, but her face was withdrawn and far away. There was fresh hurt and betrayal in her eyes, plain for Hana to see, for her baby sister had always been far too good at reading her expressions.

It is time to speak, and Lakota hopes the wounded tone does not bleed through. "You have returned, little sister. Tell me, where have you been these past few months? I do not remember you being a deserter," she spoke cooly, as if she were discussing the weather, but that last quip at the end was meant as a punishment for her sister's disappearing act. Lakota had raised Hana this way, alongside Alleo. Never were they direct with her when it came to their disappointment, unless she had committed a crime they considered serious enough for direct confrontation. They had always been a subtle family; Lakota in her kindness, Hana in her strength, Alleo in his darkness. They all held attributes, and yet only let them show in the slightest of ways. Ktulu would come in time, Lakota knew. She always did, eventually. The poisoner and the Chieftess always found each other in the end, either by coincidence or by some sort of magnetism. She would come especially now when Hana had called a conference with her. Lakota watched her, emotions flickering like weak flames in her eyes. Hana could surely catch them, but she was one of the very few who likely could. Kota hated that she loved her sometimes, but this was the babe she had saved from death for being an unnecessary heir. The teary-eyed sweetheart with the pink gaze that she had raised in a tumultuous mix of elder sister and mother. Her heart was owned so completely by the kindly natured fae, and in her eyes Lakota saw every memory of when Hana was but a spindly legged newborn sleeping like a precious bundle between the warm sides of herself and her elder brother. She could never hate her, and she could never take out the hurt Hana had inflicted out on her. They were sisters, and that was perhaps one of the strongest bonds forged in all of time.

Credits

Ktulu the Constrictor Posts: 509
Outcast atk: 5.0 | def: 9.5 | dam: 6.5
Mare :: Hybrid :: 16.1 :: 7 HP: 70.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Eytan :: Grizzly Bear :: Terrorize ali
#3
Ktulu
the Constrictor
ideas are the bombs in your mind, a fissure in time
if you don't have a weapon you can't have mine


Gently rounded sides are the only indication that the dark mare is pregnant, unless of course, one were to take into consideration the foul temperament the already moody mare displayed. Her first pregnancy had been hard on her body and had weighed heavily on her spirit and her mind. She had not been used to having to be more careful with what she did and who she confronted. The possibility of endangering her unborn child had been a scary realization when she had been attacked on the sands of the Throat by a stallion who was little more than a pathetic trespasser. Now she had put herself in that same situation, only this time she was leading a herd. She was supposed to be a warrior and she had a baby growing in her belly that she had to be careful of lest she kill it before it had a chance to even live.

Ktulu's white tail lashed from side to side as she gorged herself on the lush grass the Foothills had to offer. Her appetite had grown immensely and as the days wore on she realized just how much it had. Thoughts drifted from the grass she was grazing on to the sire of the foal she carried. It was still beyond the Chieftess' comprehension that someone as noble and pure as Midas would find any interest in someone as tainted as she. She didn't even understand her own actions or motives behind asking Midas to sire a child with her. What would happen when his affections for her and his interest in her waned after he figured out that she was not the mare he thought her to be? She would be raising another child alone, but she had experience now. Whatever mistakes she made with Hototo she hoped to correct with this one.

Whatever it was.

Then there was Lakota. Ktulu found herself enjoying the poisoner's presence whenever she was around. There were few and far between that Ktulu enjoyed spending time with. Fewer, still, that made her stomach do that stupid flip-flop butterfly thing that it did on those rare occasions when she and Lakota flirted innocently.

Innocent. Right.

The black dun lifted her head and snorted, her mood taking a nosedive as she heard her name being called by someone she didn't know. Eytan ran ahead of Ktulu, announcing her presence as he so often did with a swipe at Lakota before playfully tackling the polar bear cub. He rolled then clambered to his feet and took of running, expecting the other cub to chase after him and leave the mares to their peace. Or what would be left of it after Ktulu swept through with the destructive force of a tornado.

It was several moments later before Ktulu arrived, her dark form stopping several paces away from Lakota as she stared down the poisoner's sister with a look of anger and disgust. "Deserter." She spat, her ears slanting back against her head and nearly disappearing into her snowy mane. Oh yes, she remembered Lakota's sister well, which is why she hardly spared her poisoner a glance. She cared not for the look she assumed to find on her face at the vehemence her tone held, but she was angry. She had accepted this mare into her ranks at Lakota's request. She trusted her judgement on Hana and had trusted that Hana would live up to her sister's expectations. They both had been shit on by her, she felt.

"What the hell could you possibly want now?" Her tail lashed against her swelling sides and she stamped a hind hoof into the dirt as she growled out the words at the other mare. "We took you in once and you shit on us. Why would you think to even come back here? What makes you think we want you back?" Anger rolled off of the black dun in waves. If she were a lesser being she would have lost control of her magic and unleashed it on the unwitting healer. "You have done nothing to help us." It was not too long ago when the Grey had needed another healer to help and Hana was nowhere to be found. She had thought to prove herself an asset to them and had only proved that she was as useless as the piles of crap that Eytan left in the woods.



Image Credits

Icon by Tay

Hana Posts: N/A
Unregistered
:: :: ::
#4

The wait was short, and for the young lightly shaded mare she felt pain with every passing moment, pain from missing her sister so deeply. Her position was solid however, able to notice even the tiniest of movements and she did not move. It was as if even her smallest joints where locked together in a mixture of anticipation and fear. Then finally movement, a flash of ruby as her eyes flicked over to the slowly approaching figure. The distance did not disclose the identity of the figure. She knew the walk, the shape, the size and the smell. Lakota approached her moving strong and as confident as Hana remembered. The emotions that rang through her sisters eyes, however told another side of the story and Hana had no trouble in reading each emotion. Her ruby eyes never left her sister purple ones. The emotions swirling around Hana's chest were a irrational mixture of love, fear betrayal, hope and pure joy at seeing her sister again. Through her peripheral vision she noticed the white smudge they as the party of two drew closer, soon formed the shape of a polar bear cub. Hana would worry about the question for that later, for now the young gray roan sabino mare was worrying about the wrath of her sister. While she felt like squirming under her sister's uncomfortable gaze, she realised her plan had failed. Disappointment surged through her, her sister was now involved in the meeting with Ktulu, her head was on the chopping block with Hana's.

Hana's own expression remained neutral, a mask with only the slightest hint of pain in her eyes. Once her sister stopped before her, striking a pose that clarified her power over Hana, the dainty mare had to resist the urge to shrink back from her sister's disappointment. Tears of hurt pride and feelings started to burn at the back of her eyes, but Hana refused to let them fall. Instead she puffed out her own chest and used her height to make herself seem slightly more impressive. Hana would not be pushed around, her stubbornness came from who knows where? Her sister's harsh words, were spoken with a bitter coldness. Did her absence from her sister's side cause hate for Hana, to spring up within her sisters heart? Hana did no speak for a few moments, hurt twisted around her heart. The need to cry was almost overwhelming, Hana however waited for her emotions to settle then she pulled her eyes out of her sisters gaze and looked down to the cub at her feet. Curiously she sniffed at it's sent from a distance, cautious as ever. With Lakota you never knew what dark secrets her sister was hiding. While Hana trusted her sister, she did not entirely trust the things or animals her sister kept for company.

It was cute though, so she gave it a quick smile before facing her darker sister. "You speak to me so harshly Kota," her voice shock ever so quietly. A gentle clearing at the base of her throat and her ruby eyes aimed to lock back onto her elder sisters eyes. The desire to cry vanished, hurt only replaced it. "I went off to search for Alleo, I thought I saw him...and I got lost." Hana's voice was soft, quiet like the whisper of summer breeze, the last word clearly held embarrassment. Her eyes looked into the distance now, resting behind her sister. Hana wondered if Lakota was replacing her real family with The Grey, trying to make a new home here, find more sisters. Hana's eyes fell downcast and hurt filled her voice. "Have you replaced Alleo and I already then sister?" Hana asked in a wavering voice. She found herself flicking her tail in agitation at the very idea of herself being replaced. Her eyes snapped back up to her sister's face. "I did not mean to hurt you Kota. You know that I love you." That was all Hana could offer, her love. Gently she took a few steps closer to her sister, the desire to touch her and hold her was almost taking over her. Their private meeting was cut short however, Ktulu appeared, making Hana give Kota one last appealing look towards her sister before turning and facing the mare she feared.

The leader's own bear took Katoa's out in a tackle, Hana watched them for a moment, no bond to tell her if they where playing or fighting. Concern settled on her lips for a moment but as they rushed off together Hana felt the tinniest bit of relief. This feeling was squashed however once her ruby eyes looked upon Ktulu again. As the black mare released her anger onto Hana, the young mare found herself physically shrinking back into herself. Hana's ruby eyes where wide as horrified at the words the Chieftess was speaking. Her sister presence vanished completely from her mind during her rather public shaming, Hana felt tears well up in her eyes again but she once again refused to them the fall. Her weakness was short lived though, "Chieftess, please, while I have no right to, I implore you to listen to me." Hana pretended that Alleo was there whispering help into her ear. Relax, and Hana did just so uncurling from herself and standing tall but submissive in front of Ktulu. Deep breath, she sucked in a large breath of air quietly and exhaled. Now explain everything as best you can, Hana looked at Ktulu and began. "As you know, our brother has been missing for a while now." She glanced to Kota her oringial question still in her eyes 'Have you replaced Alleo and I already then sister?' Hana knew that Lakota would be able to read what was in her eyes. "I believed I saw him in the forest where we where residing shortly after I joined The Grey." Blocking the memory of the horse she believed to be her brother from her mind, Hana continued. "After a while the forest turned black with night, nothing was as I remebered it and I could no longer find my way...home." Hana shivered remembering her panic, the fear the rang in her eyes. Screaming her sisters name, then calling out for anyone...anything thing to find her. She was terrified during her first night out alone in the open, after a while she had gotten used to it. "Please believe me, I've been trying all this time to find my way back. I realise that I deserted you for my own personal quest, I now beg of you both to take me back and grace me with any punishment you see fit." Aware of the fact that she had just willing put out herself up for punishment...probably a public punishment, Hana looked to her sister. She was hopeful that maybe somewhere deep inside her, Kota would find it within herself to help her sister. Her blood sister. Even if it was just a small gesture that lead to Hana's public humiliation, she would be ever so grateful of her sister. Neves fluttered in her chest again, standing alone was a new thing to Hana still. All her life she had somebody protecting her. Now however she hoped that both mares would be able to take her back, she would volunteer her services to They Grey again. This time she would actually be around to heal the wounded. Hana knew that no doubt The Grey would make another contract soon. Then they would need her healing powers. Nothing would stop Hana this time, this time she would be loyal.

HANA
And I won't lie they keep me on my toes these days.

image credits
table by whit

Lakota the Poisoner Posts: 278
Deceased atk: 5.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 4.5
Mare :: Equine :: 15.1hh :: 7 Years HP: 64 | Buff: NOVICE
Aodaun :: Polar Bear :: Terrorize Brit
#5
Lakota
                     Her smile makes you wonder where she's been



Somehow, in the time she had been gone, Hana had grown better at concealing her emotions behind a veil just like Lakota did. Yet they were both reading each other, and neither seemed to truly desire to hide the tumultuous waves inside their hearts. They were warped mirrors, reflecting each other but with the slightest differences that made communication hard. So similar, they were. Same face, same stance, same expressive eyes. Though Lakota took after their father in her height, Hana had the softness of their mother's face that had tricked so many into her snare so long ago. It was what drew others into Hana's gravitational pull, the kindness that kept them there, the sweetness of her face and smile. Lakota is walking a thin line between anger and distress, because god damn it this is the kid she fucking raised. She watched her skin her knees, nibble her first taste of grass, shriek at her first experience with a river. And yet she betrayed her, made her a liar in the face of her best friend and Chieftess. Lakota had stuck her neck out for her sister, out of love, out of duty, out of a hope to keep her family close. Hana had responded by disappearing when they needed her magical talents the most. Lakota had been wounded, burned by this. And where was Alleo in all of this? Kota desired his company more than anything else, wishing his pale face would be the first thing she awoke to one morning and everything could be normal again. Alleo and Lakota, the original two. Hana had never driven them apart, perhaps had only drawn the elders closer together. How badly the dark princess wanted him there, to comfort her and hold her close in his silent way, give her advice about how to deal with their younger sister that was more like their child than anything else.

Slim chest, somehow equal in size or larger than Kota's with her shorter height, is pushed out just as much as her own. Lakota nearly feels proud of her, but its an emotion that is shortly lived. Her sister is larger than her now, and still looks far more beautiful than Lakota could ever be. Briefly she wonders if she should feel proud for that, at least, but all she feels is the crushing self-hatred that always surfaces around her baby sister. Because she can never be that perfect, that sweet, that beautiful. Shouldn't she be happy that her little sister would one day attract a handsome stallion and create a nice happy family? Of course she is, but there is an ache inside her as well that wonders when she will have someone look at her and have them find her beautiful. It seemed impossible. Aodaun gave a tiny, happy growl to see Hana smile at him, and Lakota allowed it if only because she was stretched too thin to reprimand him. She feared that if she was pressed another inch, she would snap and her infamous icy composure would be wrecked completely.

Words fall like flower petals from her sister's lips, where hers had been shards of glass. The shake in her tone both angers her and makes her heart constrict. So conflicted. She says nothing, remaining silent even as she explains why she had wandered off and not returned. Then her gaze is turning to the horizon behind Lakota, and the words that come next pierce her heart as surely as a blade. A choking noise, soft and wounded, is all that comes from her before the fire inside rages and she is pressing forward a few steps, getting in Hana's face and snarling like a rabid dog. Yet, when she speaks, her tone is level and cold as ice. "Have I replaced you?" It is controlled, but it is the calm before the storm. The canary has stopped singing, signaling that the dangerous air that lingers below is unsafe. "Are you forgetting who raised you? Who took every beating so that you would never know the pain of one? Who took on jobs Alleo could not because he was breaking apart, but wouldn't let you see him do it?" And she is slowly losing control, furious violet fires in her irises.

But no, she will not allow Hana to push her over the edge. She will not be drawn down to her level. Instead she forces her ears to rise from where they had been angrily pinned, and deliberately measures each step she makes backwards. "Blood is thicker than water, Hana. I cannot replace my only siblings, the only family I have left. But I will not suffer through loneliness either, especially when I have a second family to turn to for companionship. Don't you ever accuse me of replacing you! Nobody here ever could, and you are selfish and childish to think I would ever be so low as to do such a thing! I have given so much for you, you think I would give up on you, give you up, so easily?" She is a hissing viper, ready to strike, and her voice is steadily rising. Aodaun is stuck between cowering and growling at a foe he doesn't understand, but she cannot spare him a thought in that moment of anger. "This is my family. You are my family. We are tied by blood, and I am tied to them through kinship and loyalty. It is different, and yet the same. Blood and water. So I would suggest you watch your words and think them through before speaking. Remember who it was that was beside you all those years, because it sure as hell wasn't some imaginary friend," she spat. But there is a deep wounded look in her eyes, and tears sting the back of them but none sleep free, only creating a sheen of glass over her gaze.

She will not cry. She will not cry. She will not let Hana see how deeply she has hurt her, how she has stabbed the sensitive heart she hides behind anger, sarcasm, and danger. How could it be that Hana had forgotten how sensitive Lakota truly was? Or had she simply grown cruel? No, that couldn't be, for the look in her eyes makes it obvious that Hana believes herself on the right side of this, so surely her belief is so strong that this could not be cruelty. And then the sheen in her eyes grew stronger, tears desperately trying to break through when Hana confessed her love. Her mouth twisted in a grimace, trying to both appear strong and keep back the agony that twisted in her throat and demanded she let the diamond droplets dance down her cheeks. "I love you too, Hana. Of course I love you." And gruff as she tried to sound, as she usually always sounded, there was a waver in her voice that was a loud alarm that signaled to all who knew her even remotely that she was inches away from a breakdown. Hana had just stripped her bare, crushed her heart, and then pressed a kiss to it all with a few simple words. Lakota didn't know how to feel.

Ktulu arrives, and once Lakota sees her at her side- though farther away than she would prefer- she lets out a choked sound in her throat that she tries to minimize desperately. It isn't possible, and both mares probably heard it, but she squeezes her eyes tight and takes controlled breaths until it goes away. Through their bond she feels Eytan playfully tackle Ao. Feels the joy that alights in her child's heart, and in her mind's eye with the help of the images she can glean through his mind she knows what he is doing. Aodaun rolled, yipping and growling in delight as he tore after Eytan without a second thought, tumbling through the undergrowth in a bout of chase that would likely lead to wrestling in the near future. Lakota opened her eyes and bid him a soft goodbye in her mind. Before Ktulu can spit the first word at her sister, Lakota is turning and moving towards her. She needs her, for once. Instead of always being there as the force behind Ktulu's form, she needs the comfort that they have recently formed between them. Kota tries her best to make what she does appear to be a greeting; sliding her muzzle from Ktu's shoulder over to her spine, dropping momentarily over her back before retreating. But she doesn't return to where she had previously been standing, unable to bear the distance when she is so shaken. Did Ktulu sense it? In the shuddering breath she let out when she touched Ktulu's dark carmine skin? In the quiver of her legs, the glassy look of her eyes?

Barely able to separate herself from Ktulu's powerful, encouraging presence, Lakota stood quietly as closely as she could without seeming as if she were hanging off her Chieftess. Simply taking in the waves that came off Ktulu, peering at her slightly swollen sides in curious wonder out of her peripherals. Quietly she watched as Hana shrank back, horrified and clearly scared of the woman that had given her access to so many previously lost emotions. Lakota did nothing to save her, knowing Hana had to take responsibility for her actions. They were both adults now, and the lean poisoner could not continue protecting her forever. When Alleo was mentioned, and Hana tried to find her gaze, Lakota squeezed her eyes shut once again and turned her crown away towards Ktulu. She couldn't face this, couldn't see the accusation in the eyes she knew better than her own. Couldn't relive the fact that Alleo was still missing, the one precious person who had raised her, loved her, told her she was beautiful, protected her. Alleo was her world, her beloved big brother, and Hana could never understand the relationship Kota and Leo held. Hana and Alleo may be close, but she had never gone through what Kota and Leo had together. It would always be different, and it stung as if she'd been whipped to simply know that Alleo was out there, missing.

For a long time after Hana had implored Ktulu, Lakota didn't speak. There were two sides struggling for dominance inside her. One demanded she ignore Hana, let her struggle and fight through this on her own if she wanted to be such a big girl. The other was the one that had protected this child since she was born, and the urge to do so was nearly impossible to ignore. So she knew that in the end she would say something, but let the silence drag on in hopes that Hana would understand the height of the cliff she stood upon. Especially after ripping Kota's heart to shreds moments earlier. At last she took a tremulous breath that only made her feel weaker, and tried to stand taller to compensate for that. She had to try and make it seem like her heavily guarded heart had not been destroyed by the accusation that Lakota had abandoned and replaced her siblings with ease. Despite the ease with which she blocked others out with her icy, vapid mask, Lakota felt things far deeper than most. Kept every scar recorded on her heart to try and keep herself from making the same mistake, forever aching and hurting from the wounds that had made their home on her emotions.

"You have healing magic, that much is clear. You were absent when we had injured members, when we fought for the land tooth and nail that you now ask acceptance into." Even if Ktulu would make the final judgement, her own words were like the death sentence, rolling off every crime until they reached the verdict and the gavel came down. "Already we have two medics, but it is not required that you become one seeing as the magic you have to heal is not gained from the land itself. You say to grace you with any punishment we see fit?" Gaze flickers automatically to Ktulu, not only for encouragement but for permission. Of course she feels she does not need it, as she had sworn the day Hana was accepted that she would deal with her should she ever cause trouble or need to be thrown out. "Ktulu will pick your official punishment. However if you wish to apologize to me, I require one thing." Gaze flickered up and settled on Hana, feeling old and broken and knowing it was at least hinting on her face. She couldn't bring herself to care. "I will pick three of our mercenaries for you to spar against. There will be no healing yourself or them with your magic, I want you to feel how sore we were when we won the invasion. I want you to know how to fight, and feel what it's like to be facing down fear." Already she is picking names, mercenaries such as Rafe, Archibald, and Circe. Perhaps Locket. Kota stepped back and turned towards Ktulu, giving her the floor, and pressed her forehead gently to the bend just behind her right elbow. Breathing deep and inhaling her scent, wondering why things had to change so quickly, why Hana couldn't have the understanding that Ophelia held towards Ktulu. Would she never understand Lakota's ways?

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Ktulu the Constrictor Posts: 509
Outcast atk: 5.0 | def: 9.5 | dam: 6.5
Mare :: Hybrid :: 16.1 :: 7 HP: 70.5 | Buff: ENDURE
Eytan :: Grizzly Bear :: Terrorize ali
#6
Ktulu
the Constrictor
ideas are the bombs in your mind, a fissure in time
if you don't have a weapon you can't have mine


Hana's very obvious display of cowering back did nothing to soften the look on Ktulu's face or soften the bite of the words she threw at the mare who was one year her senior. The way Lakota went to her, obviously upset over the situation her sister put her in, only served to worsen Ktulu's already foul mood. Her face hardened and her eyes narrowed on the pretty femme who suddenly found it in herself to stand her ground and take the words Ktulu spat at her. Her tirade continued and she brushed off Lakota's greeting for the time being. There was little more she wanted to do then yell at and berate the peaceful mare that she'd agreed to give a chance to. The deserter. She was no good. Worthless.

As her own angry words died off Ktulu finally turned her head toward the poisoner, offered her muzzle in greeting before her attention snapped back to Hana. The excuses she used were nothing short of enraging. While Ktulu did understand being without a sibling she did not deem it a reasonable excuse for desertion. Her own sister had disappeared time and time again, but Ktulu went on with her life and hoping that Ophelia would eventually return. She could not live her life trailing after her twin and making sure she didn't get her feet dirty or lose her way, she realized that after finding her sister and her newborn daughter. She couldn't protect her from everything. She couldn't find her when she didn't want to be found. The sooner Hana realized that her attempt at finding her brother was futile unless he wanted to be found was pointless, the sooner she would become a useful asset instead of a waste of space.

"Enough with your excuses." Ktulu growled. Again, her tail lashed against her sides and she took a moment to regain whatever composure she'd had when she had first approached Hana. "So you would sacrifice the well being of many for one who you thought might be your brother?" Ktulu scoffed and stepped forward. "You would put your own sister's head on the chopping block, throw every compliment she paid you to make you look good back in her face because you thought you saw someone who resembled your brother?" Another step was taken toward the mare before Ktulu stopped herself and stood rigidly, glaring at the other mare. "You got lost in a forest you should have come to know like the inside of your eyelids and after months of being gone you're only now finding your way back?"

The muscles in Ktulu's shoulders twitched and she snapped her teeth together when Hana said she would accept whatever punishment she saw fit. The darker Chieftess had never had to deal out punishment to anyone in her herd before because no one had ever deserted them. In her silence Lakota took the opportunity to speak. Only when she heard her poisoner's voice did Ktulu's ears finally raise from the laid back, nearly buried in her mane position they had been in from the start.

A deep breath was taken before Ktulu began to speak again. "Lakota's punishment sounds fitting, but I require that you spar the Lead Executioner, Archibald." She began to turn then stopped and stared at the other mare once more. "You are accepted back into our ranks for a probationary period, but you are not welcomed until you prove yourself useful. If you fuck up once your ass belongs to me." The promise of pain was obvious in Ktulu's voice. A glance was thrown to Lakota before Ktulu began to amble away from the pair.


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Icon by Tay

Hana Posts: N/A
Unregistered
:: :: ::
#7

Hana's excuses where made, and now she dropped her eyes and bowed her head ready to receive the punishment she deserved. Expecting only Ktulu to speak to her now, when her sister's tones filled the air Hana's eyes snapped up to her face. Happiness surged through her, yes, even after all Hana had done to Lakota, her sister was coming through for her. The mask she wore was solid for a moment but Hana knew her eyes where sparkling at her elder sister. First her sister's harsh tones spoke about her magic, how she had not been around to heal those who needed it. Named and shamed Hana gave a slight nod, understanding the pain and panic they must have felt when they're weren't enough enough healers to go around all at once. Hana knew that they already had medics, her sister was one, however she wanted to be a medic. That was her use, when she healed others she felt like she had a reason for living, that her life's purpose was to help others. It made her feel...good.

Yes, she did tell the other two mares to grace her with any punishment they wanted. Expecting the worse of it to be made to go around waiting on others, healing those who needed it, the grey mare waited. Helping out before actually being trusted with anything made the most sense to the young healer. As Lakota looks over to Ktulu obviously to give Hana her punishment, her own ruby eyes flicked to the fearsome leader. A frown creased her forehead when Kota's tones where in the air again. Her sister required her to do something before she was willing to accept the apology. A slight tilting of the head as her ruby gaze looked over her sister's face trying to figure out where this was heading. Three Spars and no healing. She could not help the betrayal that she knew was on her face. So it may have been stupid to believe that her sister would help her not make the situation worse, but she had not expected this. Why would Lakota be doing this to her? Hana found herself trying to figure out her sister's mind. There was two betrayals here, the betrayal of Hana leaving and the betrayal of Kota not siding with her sister. As her guard was down, dwelling in her sister's mindset a single tear escaped Hana's eye, she hid it however by looking downcast and shaking it away.

She didn't understand why Lakota wanted this but she understood that it wouldn't be without reason. She chose to remain silent, not wanting to make her sisters anger worse, or Ktulu's for that matter because now the leader was speaking. The cheiftess gave her another spar, the urge to cry was becoming overwhelming. So much fear and horror was circulating around the silent mare. However the threat that was passed to Hana scared her more than the four spars she was now facing, Ktulu lived up to her reputation. Doubt did not once cross her mind about the truthfulness of her words. "Understood Ktulu." As the darker mare left her ruby eyes turned to her sister. She gingerly took a step over the border. Concern was filling her body as she took another one. She was expecting to be screamed at again, informed that she was not welcome, a betrayer, a deserter. When none came and her body was completely into the foothills border she relaxed. Ignoring her sister, hurt pride mostly being to blame, Hana walked a littler further into the foothills. Turning back she faced her sister. "You must have a death wish for me Kota." Her hurt eyes tried to catch her sister's gaze, but she spoke as if she was lightly kidding. Her tone was light friendly and open. "I understand why you set me up for those spars and at the same time I do not." Understanding grew with time, and even with time it was still a difficult thing to come by. Their sisterhood had been brief and their time together also, always seemed to be cut short.

Hana's light footsteps continued for a few more moments and then she stopped. A feeling a safety did not grace the young mare. In fact she felt as if she was being watched by unseen eyes. Hatred at her actions stabbed her in the gut and she felt like screaming. Anger began bubbling in her gut as she thought about the impending spars that her sister had set on her. She didn't know how to fight, she didn't want to be crushed by stronger, faster and more skilled fighters. Hana knew she wouldn't win anyone of the matches, Kota and Ktulu also must know it. However even more than the spars, her anger was centred at the fact the she had been banded from using her healing magic. She would not be able to heal herself at all, not even between fights. Not even after the spars? Her ruby eyes where downcast to hide her fears and anger, as soon as her sister was to look upon them she would also know what Hana was feeling. "Well this is just lovely." The tone had changed with her feeling now, angry and sarcastic. "I'll just head off now and get my arse handed to me so you can forgive me." She was acting like a brat, she knew it. However Hana no longer cared. Her eyes where on the horizon and her heart was pumping loudly in her ears. "It's just how I pictured our charming reunion Kota."

She could no longer stop the tears, a burning at the back of her throat started and the tears fell onto her cheek. They where a relief and Hana found her ager ebbing away only to be replaced with the horror of the situation she now found herself in. With no more biting words for her sister, only an honest question remained for her. "Are you even glad to see me at all Lakota?" The disappointment rang loud and clear in her voice and the awareness level of her tail flicking in agitation was minimal. "If you want me to walk away now, so you never have to lay eyes on me again." Just thought thought of it broke her heart. "I'll understand." She was a coward and didn't want to face those in a spar match. Even more than that she would not swallow her hurt pride and ask her sister's for advice in the ring. Going into the battle blind seemed a whole lot better than facing her sister for such a serious conversation. However would facing her sister in a spar help them work out some of their issues? She now looked over her more skilled sister. "Maybe Kota, you'll feel better if you're the first one to hand my arse to me." Hana didn't mention the fact that Ktulu had been the first one just by speaking to her.

HANA
And I won't lie they keep me on my toes these days.

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table by whit

Lakota the Poisoner Posts: 278
Deceased atk: 5.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 4.5
Mare :: Equine :: 15.1hh :: 7 Years HP: 64 | Buff: NOVICE
Aodaun :: Polar Bear :: Terrorize Brit
#8
Lakota
                     Her smile makes you wonder where she's been



Comfort did not come immediately after Lakota sought out her Chieftess, but she understood without having to ask why Ktulu did not acknowledge her instantly. If she suddenly broke from her tirade to show affection or association of any sort, it would be a sign of weakness and a tendency to be easily swayed. Ktulu was neither of these things, and so Lakota kept herself tucked close to the younger mare in wait. At last she was rewarded, dark muzzle reaching out to hers in greeting. Chocolate and carmine met obsidian, and the soft brush of velvet muzzles had Lakota sighing softly in relief and clearly breathing easier. The relationship she held with her sister was far different from the one Ophelia and Ktulu shared, a bond which she envied. Where the former two had grown up together, with matching days of birth and life in years, Lakota was around the age of two full cycles when Hana had been born. She had raised her, and that had set their relationship into a different realm that Ktulu would sadly not likely be able to understand. For so long she had babied Hana, despite Alleo warning her not to. How could she not? With Ithrim warming the chunk of ice in her chest cavity, Lakota had been helpless against the baby face and happy-go-lucky nature. Having been denied such pleasures, she had practically drowned Hana in all the happiness she could give on her own time. She had been there every time their parents had been ready to deal the beautiful child her first blow, an iron will falling over her emotions as she intervened. So long as there was breath in her lungs, she would protect Hana from the cruelty she and Alleo had grown up with. Yet here she was, heratbreak keeping her from thinking clearly, and she was releasing her baby sister to walk on her own and protective herself for once. Was that why betrayal glinted in those rose-hued orbs? Because Hana had never experienced this, and saw it as Lakota turning her back instead of letting her grow from the encounter?

Absorbed in her thoughts, she remained where she was at Ktulu's side. Instinct had replaced the vapid facade upon her visage, as if it were more a habit than anything. She seemed to be off in her own world, yet with an aristocratic aloofness that kept the cool dignity on her features without trying. What broke her away from the land of muse and melancholy was the movement of Ktulu's body, lean muscles rippling as they were put into motion, shadowed dun of her canvas giving off a healthy glow beneath the pale Orangemoon sunlight. Violet irises watched her go, and made an effort to adopt a stronger stance as her Chieftess sank her venomous verbal fangs even deeper into her sister's skin. There was little Kota could do, and even if she was able she doubted action would be taken on her part. Emotions were still tangled and jumbled in her insides, making her feel ill and wrong. Lakota did not handle emotions, she stomped them down and dominated them so that nobody could touch her. Hurt her. Forever the prickly porcupine, and yet somehow the tricky vixen in the shell of her sister's body had flipped the creature onto its back to reveal the sensitive parts. Had sank pearly fangs into her heart, her soul. Lakota had no experience with how to deal with this situation, and with the conflicted feelings that crashed like opposing tidal waves in her hollowed form she doubted that both sides could come together in a mutual agreement that would dictate how to react. The part of her that the Grey knew, the strong and frigid Lakota they had fought with, demanded that Hana be shown through harsh words or mild physical punishment that Kota had had enough of her sass and guilt-tripping technique. To show her that she had to stand on her own, because Lakota couldn't hold the both of them without crumbling. Yet the opposing side was just as strong, and as if in a dream she watched Ktulu snap and hiss at her younger sibling. Whatever she said, the words were muted and slow in her mind. Betrayal and confusion, as well as anger, had all taken up the mantle of her sister's face. Lakota remained silent.

Watching her leader walk away was hard, but Lakota gazed back at the mare's crimson orbs with a look of defeated understanding. When she had stuck her neck out for Hana so long ago, she'd promised to handle whatever trouble her sister caused. And here she was, holding true to it. Not only handing out punishment, but left to deal with whatever backlash Hana would serve out alone. No Ktulu, no Aodaun, nobody. With a sharp pang Kota realized that she didn't actually have many people to fall back on or rely on. Ktulu, Thayne...desperately she tried to fill in the list with characters like Phaedra and Rafe. But did she truly know them? Trust them? Phaedra had appealed to her heart, but the flirtatious fae was rather opposing in her sides. Sweet and alluring, and then sharp and conniving. Rafe had been the stallion at her side in the frosted wonderland of the Threshold, quite similar to her in the way they viewed the world and handled annoyances, disruptions, and threats. Did she know him? Of course not, so he too was unable to be counted among those she tentatively labeled her friends. Maybe it was for the best. After all would she have handled being left alone to deal with Hana better if she had others to rely on?

You could never rely on others, unless they had been born and raised by your side with your blood shared in their veins.

At least, that had been one of Lakota's reminders until this day. Clearly she could not rely on Hana or Alleo, who seemed to flicker in and out of Helovia teasingly. Tiny firefly flickers that drew her desperately onward, only to go nowhere and find nothing.

Advancing steps make her draw blank plum eyes to her sister, refusing to let the one window into her soul display what she was feeling now. It was too dangerous. Hana approached slowly, crossing the border tentatively as if believing the thin warrior would chase her blood sibling away should a single hoof land out of place. As Hana bypassed her, Kota let her obsidian lids fall silently to hide her pained gaze. Was she even pained? So many emotions inside, all screaming for attention. How long had it been since she'd even felt so many? And all at once, at that? This was her weakness, yet another chink in her armor that could not be hidden. Though getting to her broken, scarred heart was one of the hardest things in the world, once someone had made themselves at home they held the only weapon that could be used against Lakota. Her own feelings. Alleo had warned her in his quiet, musing way that someday it would be her downfall. That avoiding, killing, stifling, and freezing her emotions would get her nowhere. Leo had always been amazing, balancing neutrality, hatred, and chivalry perfectly within his being. He could kill with no regret, and yet treated those he cared for as if they were made of the most fragile of glasses. Always respectful, always patient and impartial. Kota envied him, because he had not torn away the sensitive parts that she had been fighting to exterminate ever since Ithrim's beautiful dark orange eyes had closed once and for all.

Hana must have turned to look at her, or at least stopped. Kota remained still, a silent willow branch that remained rooted in place yet swayed softly in betrayal of how malleable it truly was. Such biting words, what a change from the submissive creature she'd seen stand before Ktulu like a trembling wreck mere moments ago. "A death wish? No, Hana, I have just spared your life. You know not of the power my Chieftess holds. Had I not made a decision for you, for her, you would be suffering beneath her personally." Reaching deep inside she has dredged up the instinctive reflex of shielding herself with collected quietness. Vocals soft as silk, as they always were when she did not purposefully harshen her voice to make others stop assuming she was a normal mare. It is weary, with a slight chill to the words that is hardly noticeable. No doubt Hana would catch it anyways. Though she doesn't see the point in explaining herself, her lips are opening and words are flowing out once more. The air around her feels cold and empty, the blackness that her closed eyelids have caused only doubling the loneliness she felt. Underlined the fact that she was standing in solitude. Why, now, did it matter so much? She had been independent, alone, for many long years.

"I am doing you a favor, Hana. Ktulu does not know that you have little experience in fighting, and all members of the Grey must be fit and able fighters. Do you think you could merely heal, and do nothing else in a band of mercenaries?" Dry, defeated laugh left her throat. How hollow she felt, how carved up and misunderstood. Maybe it was best that she was born dark, the ink blot in the purity of their family tree. Perhaps her mother was right in declaring her to be the devil that would never be accepted into their family, spitting it at her in disgust the moment her obsidian coat was seen the moment she was born. Hadn't she proved her point by killing their father, escaping them despite the torture they had inflicted on her to keep her down and out? "Do not worry your pretty little head, sister" and oh, how it hurt her to hiss in such a sibilant way. How angry she was, how wounded, and yet her heart ached with love regardless. And wasn't it obvious? Even as she tried to hiss and spit venomously, her voice wavered and threatened to crack. So strong. Lakota the warrior, the emotionless bitch that kept all others away. And yet she was weak, breakable, by those she loved. She was a fool, and it only hurt worse to know it. If only she had not grown attached, if only she had let Hana find her own legs instead of suffering to protect her. So many If If If's, and yet it did nothing to ease her worries. "Archibald, our General, will count as one of the three instead of an additional spar partner. In the Grey, we are family. Spars are meant to strengthen, teach. They are not meant to severely injure or disfigure, because you do not do that to family, in any way," she stated softly, firmly. The raw aching in her gaze was unveiled with little care. Though the words rang true for the Grey, they were meant for Hana.

Where was Ao? She craved to crumple to scarred knees and hold him to her chest, cry into his downy swanlike fur, let the innocent bloodless color crowd her vision in hopes it would drive away the darkness that so rarely appeared and yet always threatened to consume her. Bitter sarcasm hit her ears, and the stonelike mare only allowed a small twitch of dark audits to catch the words. Lakota feared if she so much as twitched a muscle, the iron blanket she had settled over her body to keep herself from shattering would slip away. There would be no movement, no change in stance to let Hana enter her view. Irises remained shielded similarly, in the way that she kept that conjured blanket around herself tightly. She could not see or feel it in this realm, in the present, but she could at least physically shield her eyes when necessary. When had Hana grown so bitter? Didn't she see that Kota was in just as hard of a spot? That she couldn't side with Hana or Ktulu fully? Had she listened to the protective sisterly instincts and leapt to defend her baby sister, Ktulu would have likely brought it down on her head as well, and then she would be of no help to Hana. Plus, forcing Ktu into that situation where Kota must be punished by her wasn't something the slender mistress ever wanted to happen. Yet, if she hadn't even offered an alternative punishment for Hana and had remained silent in total agreement with Ktulu, Hana would have either been banned from the Grey and the Foothills or forced to suffer her punishment beneath Ktulu personally.

Kota found herself bitterly doubting that Hana could see the situation so impartially when she was already emotionally involved. It simply wasn't a part of the mind to remove oneself from the situation and analyze it impartially when already tied into it with a bias.

Closed lids clenched tighter at the childish, sassy tone with which Hana spoke. Had her lips grown looser while away? Having taken up the half-mother and half-elder sister role in Hana's life, she had been the only other soul aside Alleo that could and would punish her to instill morals and respect into her young mind. Lakota trusted no others to do it, because the both of them had been very careful not to go overboard because they loved her damn it and hurting her, even if it was to teach her a valuable lesson, hurt them too. The tone she spoke in was like a foal back-talking their mother, and the long-buried instinct to sharply correct her for her manner of speaking rose up. It didn't push through. Lakota may be crumbling where she was, insides shattering, but she was still a damn good mask maker. After all she was still standing tall, unmoving, with only the smallest grimace upon her face. And though she had craned her neck after the comment about not hurting family, baring her crushed gaze to Hana, she had shut her eyes once more and refused to allow them to open again. Who knew how Hana would use it? How would she even take it?

"It's just how I pictured our charming reunion, Kota."

Another deep cut across the tiny bits left in her chest cavity, hardly even enough to be called a heart. You no longer call a vase by its name when it is in fragments on the ground, do you? No, you call it a mess. An irritating mishap that must be dealt with before anyone else sees the awful eyesore. It is no longer a vase, but it is degraded into what that vase was made of: clay, glass, metal shards. So her heart was no longer able to be called by such. No, it was just a fleshy stripped material that beat feebly, constantly pained and yet always softly crying out for someone to pick up the pieces missing somewhere inside and put them back together. Dark lips trembled, though she doubted Hana felt the urge to cry with how cruelly she had snapped the words at her. The moment heat prickled at her eyes, however, she forced the oncoming tears away.

She still had some pride left. Like hell she was going to relinquish it now, when it was all that kept her standing.

Before words could slide off her tongue, Hana's tone changed into one of badly concealed pain, humiliation, and disappointment. Idly, Lakota wondered if Hana even recalled when they had first been reunited. That had been the 'charming reunion' Hana had clearly expected on this morning. Did she simply not want to remember, if only to give herself an explanation?

Speak, speak, you have to speak, she asked you a question!

But no, more words followed and soon Lakota was subtly shoving down the lump in her throat in order to speak clearly. When she was finally allowed a place to interject, she didn't even bother keeping the cool, silky, and detached tone employed earlier. No. When she spoke now, her tone was far different. Weak, broken, beaten down and dejected. Lakota accepted this, and it was clear in every syllable. Still, they sounded so pretty and elegant in her voice, and again that strange part of her brain piped up at the entirely wrong moment to wonder if those in Helovia thought she had an accent. "Of course I am, Hana. Why wouldn't I be? For days and days I searched for you, leaving the Grey at hours where I would not be missed. I left, when we were preparing for an invasion that required most of my attention, to try and find you. I worried day and night, all hours of the day..." Choking up she took a few moments to breathe deep and control herself. It wasn't easy, of course. Did Ktulu bare herself in such a way to Ophelia? Were close siblings the exception to such cold walls employed by those like Ktulu and Lakota?

"From the moment you were born, I was there to protect you. From our wretched parents, from the violence around us, from the dark world we lived in. Alleo and I were there, in the flesh, completely physical beside you. We could protect you mentally and physically in return. Yet when I was forced to leave, when you two helped me escape after I was tortured for killing that bastard..." Face twisted into a snarl, and out of the blue she realized her eyes had opened. When in the world had that happened? Hatred coated every bit that contained any mention towards their father, filling the syllables with all the venom she could as if they were containers that could convey her emotions. She didn't regret killing her sire, and never would. Killing him was an event she wore proudly like a badge of honor. But then she realized the words that hung on the insides of her lips had yet to be spoken, and the emotions that clung to every shifting sound that composed each word broke the rage that had swelled so suddenly in her chest. So tired was she, in every way she could possibly imagine being weathered and exhausted, the shadowy fae didn't even bother closing her eyes once more. Staring off into a world, a time, that was long past and likely long gone. "I was unable to be there. Every day in exile I worried, wondering if Alleo could keep you safe, if that damn cur that gave us life would turn on you because of my actions. I wasn't there to protect you, and it killed me. Though I would kill that man a thousand times over, and never regret it, I wish I could go back in time and find any other option that kept me where you were."

Every word was a diluted poison upon the remains of her soul. Had her heart been eaten through by the magic that curled in a venomous, sinister fashion within her veins? Was there nothing left? Even her words sounded hollow, just as cold and barren as her breast. "Seeing you, finally, a few seasons back nearly crippled me. Upon receiving my quest for the magic I desired, I had to be fed a poisonous plant from one of the racist bastards up north. Every turn, you and Alleo haunted my steps as the drug took effect. I saw you torn up and dying, or even dead. Finding you that day...it was like touching the afterworld and getting a taste of the perfection that lies there. Losing you again..." Facial features twisted in blatant pain, eyes screwing shut once more. Apparently she did have the strength to still do it. Where was her cool facade? Where was her feathered masquerade mask? When had it been removed, and why had she not been informed? Emotions and Lakota mixed about as well as dynamite and a struck match. It simply spelled her own destruction, the tender underbelly that was her weakness. Once she was alone, she could build her walls back up brick by brick, the rough edges and cracked mortar from where they had broken scraping her insides and drawing forth crimson agony. But...here? No. She could not participate in such an intimate, almost ritualistic destruction of her self-esteem with her baby sister near. Could not find the strength once she had reached rock bottom to stubbornly rise again if Hana was there to comfort instead of push, as Lakota's thoughts did.

"Losing you again was more than betrayal, Hana. It was more than you spitting in my face after I put myself on the chopping block for you. Do I blame you, for running after mirages that seem to be our loved ones? No, because I did the same in complete desperation, chasing down whispers and rumors only to find nothing. If you truly got lost and could not find your way home...well, regardless of logic, I still felt betrayed." Normally this last little chunk would have been icy, like frozen silk. Had she been conversing with any other living being on this earth, it would have been so. Even she could pull up a temporary composure during times of desperation such as this. "But the betrayal...it could not even come close to the worry, the agony, the uselessness that I felt. I blamed myself. For not looking over you, for not keeping a good enough watch on your person. I told myself that Leo could have done better, that fate was a wicked bitch that hated me if she kept taking and taking my loved ones. So seeing you again today...I felt relief, concern, love. But I cannot endanger the whole of my herd and family for you, nor the other way around. I also cannot ignore the anger, the injustice, the bitterness I felt right after." Only then do Hana's last words register, and a sharp snort escapes her. It is an odd mix between mocking, disbelieving, and uncaring.

She wanted Kota to fight her? When she was already whining over having to spar with three strangers? Kota knew her intimately, knew how she reacted to the littlest of things. Her weaknesses, her strengths, her build. Even Hana had to be intelligent enough to know that this deeply rooted, intense knowledge would only aid Lakota. Combined with her experience and skill in comparison to Hana's sheltered life- though, that was partially her fault and partially Leo's- there was simply no doubt over who would win. And with Aodaun and her magic? It was simply unfair, and surely Hana was speaking out of bitterness, for if she wasn't then Lakota would be unable to stop from laughing in her face. A foolish wish, a taunt that the elder female would not rise to bite at. "I try not to be vain, since I don't particularly give a shit if I have good points, but we both know how that would end Hana. Hurting you will not make me feel better." At long last she turned her gaze once more, body following with a fluidity similar to smoke, silent and lithe like a feline slinking after its prey. Though the shattered look in her eyes had not vanished, and she likely appeared years above her age, there was a silent tempest in plain view beneath the shards of her heart Hana had left with her words. Intense, sad, and yet still love laced every feature as if they were snowflakes upon her obsidian coat. "When a child is upset, or hurt, they lash out. It is instinct to chase away any who approach, even if they only intend to help. A child is punished and they scream insults, fling horrible words because they want to hurt the other right back. I am not a child, Hana, surely you must know this by now?" And oh, how old she felt! Still in her prime and yet this one meeting seemed to have aged her ten years. That scorching plum gaze finally drifted away to the horizon once more, and from the shadows caught sight of a flicker of pale fur. Aodaun had returned, but hung on the outskirts warily. Like a sobbing child running to their mum's embrace, she extended her mind towards him until once more they were intertwined in every way.

Deep growl emanated from far away, hardly audible, but she heard it loud and clear through their connection. Ao was not one to anger, but the rage that flowed from him right then nearly swept her off her feet, to feel slamming into her own emotions with such intensity. He was furious that in the time he had been away, Lakota had been wrecked emotionally. Young he may be, but the heart of a soldier, a protector, rested in a perfect prison of ribs and sinew in his body. Had he been full grown, he would have charged from protective cover to stand in the dwarfed version of the massive breed he hailed from, a physical barrier between her and the one who had hurt her. Relation held little importance to him. Hana had hurt Lakota in a way Aodaun had never seen or felt before, and that was a grievance he could not forgive. Though he was just a babe he still came, growling and teeth glinting in the pale sunlight overhead, towards the two. Gaze remained on Hana like a dog on guard, and though he brushed and twined lovingly between the dark legs of his princess the love he sent through to his precious did not change the dangerous, wary, and unhappy expression on his sweet face.

Slowly Lakota lowered herself to her knees, demeanor changing completely around the puzzle piece that completed her so perfectly. Feeling every wave of adoration, comfort, love, and endless loyalty nearly swept her under into a sobbing mess. She was stronger than that urge, but she still felt it. No longer did she focus on Hana, the world narrowing to just her and her prince. Scarred forelegs pressed to the slightly wet, dewy earth. Aodaun had small twigs and even bits of dead, wet leaves in his long coat from where he'd gone crashing through the undergrowth and dying foliage of the Foothill's version of Orangemoon. Tender underside of her belly twitched and protested at the chill, but nothing would keep her from allowing Ao onto her back where he belonged. Was she spoiling him? Perhaps, and yet she had just witnessed the strength he possessed. The courage and fight she could ask from him, and would be granted. Learning now how to be careful of his claws, and eyes still trained in their darker violet shade on Hana, Aodaun wriggled atop her and lovingly growled and huffed at her. Cold nose pressed endearingly to her shoulder. Standing once more, she sighed and turned her own eyes to where Hana was. In silence she remained, desiring to leave so that she could release all the emotions boiling inside her, her body the teakettle and the whistle about to blow. Anger, distress, abandonment, distrust, longing, unworthiness. Helpless, hopeless love for that precious youth mere strides across from her.

Atop her spine, Ao's eyes were a near-perfect mirror of Lakota's as he stared at Hana as well. Though she considered him the innocent one, Aodaun could not mentally create words that she used. But no, the shades of their irises betrayed the roles they would take in the future. Ao was a prince in the eyes of his princess, but he would kill for her, because she was the truly innocent one. Uncaring of the fact he did not know what she was like in her early years, Aodaun was the one to see every vulnerability, sense every hurt twang of her heartstrings. So cold and hard on the outside, and such a shell was nearly impossible to get past, but her protector...her knight in shining armor...he had been allowed one of the few keys to her heart. And once you got past that nearly impenetrable wall...you realized that Lakota was fragile, and could easily be crushed with the simplest of off-hand phrases. So Ao was there to build her up with love and devotion, try and make her stronger for when he could not be there, and ward off those who tried to tear down all the work he had carefully put into her. When he had first opened his eyes to find her sweet face above him on the day they bonded, he had sworn that nobody would hurt her. He had failed, but he would not let this go unpunished.

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Hana Posts: N/A
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H A N A
And I won't lie they keep me on my toes these days.


"There is nothing wrong with just healing!" Hana narrowed her eyes at her sisters dry, defeated laugh that left her throat. She could tell that Lakota was feeling rather mixed up, her emotions unstable. Hana felt the same way and she wanted nothing more than to stop fighting with her sister and make up with her. Become understanding friends again, bond with her sister. So yes, Hana couldn't fight, she couldn't spar. But she was one damn good healer. Even with limited abilities Hana had saved people from death before. Picking them up with her magic, fighting away the infection that was killing them before her very eyes. Tears toppled from her eyes as her sister hissed at her. "Do not stress sister, I will prove myself to you." Hana knew that there was no menace in the hiss. If there was, it would be paining her sister to be so cruel to her. Hana did not listen to the anger in her sister voice, just the pain because it was so obvious? Hana wanted to reach out and touch her sister, comfort her, but her own hurt pride held her back from doing the right think. The sweet, kind and innocent child was crawling back, mellowing out Hana's anger and once again she was starting to see her sister for real. She was breaking her sister to pieces and it pained her to do so. They were both silent and Hana had no more anger to add. The red had completly vanished from her vision and the guilt driven tears dried up. Just wanting a break, the young mare dropped her eyes and withheld herself from touching her sister. Trying to calm her as she had often done when the darkness seeped out of her sister. Using her light and friendly childish innocence Hana would always be there for her sister, for the side that was dangerous. And that was probably more than The Grey had done. "Then I will learn all I can Kota. I want to please you again, be a sister you can be proud of." She understood the jab her sister made about family not harming each other. And her ruby eyes flared up again, only Hana found her self far to tired to argue back. She wanted Hana to understand her? Well that went both ways. Why didn't her sister understand her need to please her? Hana's need to be the sister that Kota introduced to The Grey with pride and looked upon her with adoring eyes.

Lakota cuddled into her little bear and Hana desperately wanted for her to be at the receiving end of the hug. She gently pawed the ground, trying to ride herself of any pain or panic that she felt. What if they never patched up this fight? What if Hana was always going to be The Deserter in her sisters eyes? Hana Loved her sister and she knew that somewhere beneath all the anger Kota was showing, there was only love and affection. However what if that ceased to exist and Kota just left her hanging dry, ready for the wolves to pick at her bones. She thought she had stopped crying but another tear ran down her cheek. "Kota, I'm sorry." She might as well had not spoken. Barely any sound left her mouth, her vocals had become far too constricted with emotion. Feeling like she was choking Hana bitterly just looked upon her sister who was trying not to weep. They had both tried to stay strong for too damn hard and the cracks were starting to show on both of them. Both either sobbing or trying not to sob and Hana feeling nothing but pain and utter disgust for herself. Looking away from the cuddle was hard. Hana wanted to stare at her sister so when Kota finally rose her sisters eyes would be all that she would see. But no, she needed to give her sister time to collect herself. She instead the young mare looked over her new home and waiting patiently for her sister to be ready to look at her again.

She hated seeing her sister so weak. Knowing that she had caused this made Hana despise herself. GOD! What the hell was wrong with her? Why didn't she just love and treat her sister the way she was supposed to? A tut of frustration from her chops which was intended for herself. "Why am I so foolish? A question meant only for herself. Watching the mare that had raised her, to know that the pain she was feeling was Hana's fault tore her up inside. If this fight didn't end soon, Hana would be completely destroyed from the pain that she was feeling. Already she felt sick a churning of her stomach and a pain in her head. Her eyes were dry, stinging from crying but none of her physical discomfort mattered though. Only Kota's did. What was Hana doing to her? Why was Hana causing the mare she loved pain when she should only be causing her happiness. Guilt was a horrible feeling, making the dainty mare want to reach into her stomach and full the emotion out of her. It was literally tearing her apart.

With every word she had spoke to her sister, Hana had broken off a tender bit of Lakota's heart. This was nothing like her, Hana was a sweet, kind and caring soul. She did not hurt others with vicious words intending to cause pain to another. This behaviour was horrid, she was hurting her sister. A sigh tumbled from Hana again, she had nothing to say to Lakota and nothing to say to defend herself. It was rather depressing. The humiliation was still clear on her face at her previous comment. Their reunion. This wasn't what Hana had wanted, the first one was like a daze. She hated the fact that she had left, and those nights alone fending for herself changed her. Neither Kota or their brother had been there to fend Hana from the wild. She was finally understanding just what Kota had done for her. Every time she'd taken the fall for Hana, allowing her to live normally. "By thunder I'm so incredibly stupid." So how did Hana thank her sister, who had done everything for her? Came to her home and ripped her already broken heart to shreds. "Yup, I'm going to hell" Hana whispered to herself before turning to look back upon her hurting sister.

But it wasn't too late, now was a time to speak up, to fight for what she believed in! When it came to Hana, there was nothing...NOTHING more in this world that she believed in more than her sister. Why had it taken her so long to realise this? Honestly Hana must be either dim witted or bluntly oblivious to the obvious truth. Tossing her mare over her shoulder for something to do, Hana awaited her sister's judgement on her. Would she scream at her? Cry? Or maybe she would do the worst thing of all, just walk away without saying anything. Hana had thought that the wait for Ktulu had taken forever. This wait beat that one considerably. Wanting her sister to reach out and comfort her was all the dainty mare wanted. She didn't want forgiveness without proving herself firstly, Hana just wanted comfort from the mare that she loved and adored. Why could Kota see that? Why didn't her sister want to comfort and be with Hana? A frown creased the young mare forehead and she nervously paws the ground with anxiety. Her body is tense, she can practically feel the waves of horrid filled pain rolling off of her body.

'Damn it Kota, I asked you a question. Answer it before I lose my mind. I don't think I can take this awful wait any longer.'

Silence still and all Hana could do was stare at her sister in horror. What had Hana done? Would Kota never forgive her? Then her sister's tones finally filled the air and the breath of relaxation flowed clearly from Hana. Only it wasn't her sister's tones exactly. Reading her sister like a book, her voice was, as Kota would describe it weak, broken, beaten down and dejected. This only caused Hana more pain, everything was her fault, she was practically bathing in this guilty feeling. She did not doubt that her and guilt would be friends for life after this encounter. I know Kota I know." This time no lie left Hana. Tears brimmed in her eyes again. "You've always done things like that for me. Never once had you ever had a single regard for yourself. Your one goal was and still is to protect me."Kota took a few moments to breathe deep and control herself. Waiting in silence, Hana also took the moment to relax and calm herself. She could feel the hysteria building though. Any moment it was about to burst through her carefully built wall and Hana was become a hot sobbing mess. It was not going to be a pretty sight.

Hana listened to her sister speak of their past and found that it only gave her pain. To think about how well she had been protected and here she was throwing it back into her sisters face. "You've always been the strong one Kota. I admire you and without you I would not be the person I am today. I only ever want to make you proud sister. My worst fear is disappointing you and that's all I've done today. Apart from breaking your heart." Kota's face was twisted into a snarl, To show her anger towards their sire. However Hana's was the opposite. Her face was twisted to show to her sister her most deep and internal pain. The guilt at having caused this argument. All she wanted was to be close to Kota like she was with Alleo. But Hana never shared that kind of closeness with her older siblings. Yes, they all loved each other but Alleo and Kota had a bond that Hana was unbelievably jealous of. So how was Hana trying to get that bond with her sister? She was backstabbing her. Go figure."No Lakota listen to me. What you did saved my life. Alleo did keep me safe and I was able to grow and change, but it's all because you killed him. I wish you would have been there to see me grow up more, but if you hadn't done what you did then I might not have grown at all. There might not have been a me. I never want to hear that you are carrying guilt ever again. I'll forever carry guilt about this fight but it is because I acted wrong. I made the wrong choices, but what you did was amazing and I will never ever be able to thank you for raising me, protecting me and saving me from that prison."

It was painful to admit that she was in the wrong but Hana did not let Koda see her shameful feelings. For now all that mattered was mending the mistakes that she had just caused, making sure that Kota would one day be able to look upon her with love and affection again. "It nearly crippled me as well. Finally seeing you after being lost for so long and finally being gifted with a safe home. Then when I thought I saw Alleo, I called out to you but chased after the stag. I honestly just got lost Lakota. I cried every night that I was out there alone, not able to find you. It broke my heart in half to come back here and see you side with her...them. However now I honestly do think I understand. However I want you to know that I never want to lose you again..." Hana did not hide her feelings from her sister, she also did not bother to wear a mask. Her face was twisted, too many emotions were pounding through her for her to actually decide on what she was felling. "I hate myself for doing this to us...to you. I never meant for it to end up this way and I want you to know, that until I stop drawing breath I will try and make this up to you. Make you proud of me again." A few tears escaped and they dribbled down her cheek, her ruby eyes stinging because they felt so dry. Her promise stung her lips, not because it was a lie. But because she never felt so deeply about something before. She never wanted to prove herself more to her sister than what she did right now. Nerves settled in her tummy as she thought about the more experienced fighters she would be facing for her sister. To prove her loyalty to Ktulu.

"I understand why you felt...fell betrayed. However you must at least try to see where I'm coming from! I didn't mean to get lost, I didn't mean to betray you or The Grey. All I wanted to do was save my brother, but I returned! If there is another war that The Grey has to fight in I will be right here by your side. I will protect you from now on, don't worry about me. You've been strong for far to long, looking after me. Well no more, it's your turn to be looked after." Her voice was calm and quiet, although a little shaky from the tears that had, once again, finally stopped flowing. She did not bother hiding her pain or shame, the only thing that mattered was how Kota was feeling. Would the pain be too much for her sister to handle? Was the darkness that Hana knew so well creeping back into her sisters heart? Threatening to take over the mare she loved. "I can't apologise enough for betraying you so badly if I had my time back again I would take it all back and would never have run off without telling you first. I blame myself, I only ever will blame myself and as I said before I never want you to feel guilty or to blame yourself. I am a grown mare now Kota, I have to make mistakes and learn. Even you can't save me from myself. If Alleo was watching me and I thought I saw you in the forest the same thing would have happened. I would have chased your shadow until I actually held you again knowing that he was safe with the new family the he had found..." Stopping short Hana's eyes widened as she realised that she just revealed why she thought it would be okay to leave Kota. Because she had a new family and Hana had been happy for her, jealous even. She only wanted Alleo to join them, that was why she left, chasing his shadow. Figuring that Kota would be okay, no matter what happened in the end. She pressed on hoping to cover her mistake. "I never want you to betray this family you have here. I can see how much they love you and you love them. You're Happy Kota. I have caused a riff in your happiness, but believe me. I want you to put this herd first over me, they have never betrayed you the way I have."

Her foolish and childish side had shown when she made the snide little comment about Kota sparring her. What Hana wouldn't give to take it back now. Hurting her sister unintentionally was one thing, but doing it on purpose was another. Hana had let her new found anger get to her, allowed her pain and hurt pride to make the comment to her sister. Ruby eyes looking away and downcast, Hana felt as if she was about to collapse at any second. She was too tired to continue fighting, too tired to argue wit Kota anymore. The only thing she wanted was for them to make up and forgive each other and work on their relationship. Hana wanted nothing more than to bond with her beloved sister who had mothered her all her life. Was forgiveness really to much to ask for? Was it really too hard to give to Hana? Maybe from The Grey, but from her sister? Hana didn't believe that it should be difficult. "Hurting you would not make me feel better either. Besides, we do both know how that would end, you know me better than you know yourself at times. It scares me sometimes, to know that you always know what I'm thinking. But then I realise that I know what's going on in your head Kota. I know you better than I know myself. Please forgive my actions, I just want to be sisters again." Hana watched her sister, being able to read her emotions out of her eyes. The way her body moved, and what her face told her. She was not trying to conceal the pain the Hana was causing her. Not believing it was possible, Hana felt yet another wave of hatred for herself roll through her entire body. Hana knew that Kota would be able to ready her rage and humiliation. That was where the sisters where bonded. "I am also not a child any more Lakota. Yet sometimes it's almost like you believe I'm still the little filly that you raised and loved. I am still the same person but I've grown and changed as well. Nothing will ever change my love for you, but I need you to accept the fact that I'm going to make mistakes. I don't mean for them to hurt you, but my mistakes are going to teach me many life lessons. You can't stop that Kota, neither can I." She already had learnt many things from this mistake and was never going to be able to forget the lesson that was now at hand. You can't just abandon people You need to stick to your promises and don't expect them to accept you back with open eyes.

Kota's little guy ran towards his master and check her over. At least he had kept her sister safe. She watched as the two drew close and Kota allowed him to sit on her. A sure of jealously ran through her but not even she mistook the glare the little cub was giving her. "He looks like he's about to eat me alive." Hana muttered, tones filled with nerves. "Can you accept my apology though Kota? Can we be sisters again?"




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