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05-15-2013, 12:03 AM
 Her smile makes you wonder where she's been Shadows are indistinguishable, lacking all signs of individuality. They may differ in shapes, depth, darkness...yet they are merely shadows. One does not let a shadow flicker into their vision and say 'that is the shadow of that tree at this hour' because a shadow is vague and meaningless. So many days had shifted, seasons wilted into another, and Lakota had been a fool. For all that time she had believed that a kindred soul had been discovered. Another inky black stain on the face of the ever-shifting color-shade wheel of life. Upon the clash of carmine and amaranth, the vixen of dark deeds had hoped that this strange mistress was another traveling shadow. Misunderstood, unwanted, unnoticed. Two fires burning from the same kindling, with the same sorrow that coated the ocean sapphire. What a fool she had been. Did she coat their palettes with the acrid taste of the poison that lingered in her skin and mind? Was that why they spat her out in disgust once she registered within their senses? Fool, what a fool. For so long she had watched from afar, the guardian of Ktulu's steps. In the days they had shared, from the time they had first met in the biting snow until the emotional wreck that had been her sister's homecoming, the fiery fae had grown into the very core of her being. Labels had never been something the killer valued, and yet she found herself awkwardly naming her Chieftess when inwardly questioning who, exactly, was her best friend. Sister by bond and not blood. Companion? Friend in the art of flirtation and teasing? Lakota may deflect all emotion with the shield of stone she held around her, but even her eyes could not be blinded to the abnormal affection that lurked, unacknowledged, beneath the surface of her loyalty to Ktulu. Metaphorically she could not shield her vision from this, just as literally she could not turn her eyes away from the obvious signs of childbearing that swelled the slim sides of her commander. Long ago the Moon Goddess had declared she was not impervious to the magic of her being, but the sour taste in her mouth could not be born so insidiously from her talents. No, she unrightfully felt betrayed. Not only by having the information or even name of her secret, nightly Romeo withheld, but by that same desperate adoration that quivered like the last stubborn leaf of autumn upon the bare branches of her broken heart. Was she consumed by the tidal wave those daydreamers called love? No, and yet the tiny ripples were sad reminders that maybe with time it could have been. Bitterly she realized that no matter how hard she tried, cornering Ktulu alone was nigh impossible. Questions burned upon her throat like that of a man stranded in the desert with nothing to quench his excruciating thirst. And as she was evaded and deterred, life grew larger within her commander. Who was she to think that Ktulu thought of her any higher than a loyal poisoner and warrior? That a young, attractive leader could ever find her thin, plain features appealing was astounding. Fool, fool, her mind chanted insidiously. Oh how they tortured her. Would this dull, persistent throbbing ache be worse had she truly fallen? Was this what others called a crush? Mild interest? So out of her area of expertise was she that even the desperate naming to this tiny seed of emotion was awkward at best. It all seemed so serious when dissected, as if she was hopelessly prone at Ktulu's legs with her love. Soft snort breaks the silence of her travel, small trails of mist drifting heavenward in the chilly morning air. This would do her no good to dwell upon. Late to the party once more, she muses. Gold lattice patterns are cast along the slopes of every bodice gathered round the new mother, splashes of pink and hues of orange glowing within their features. It is a beautiful hour, both through sentiment and physicality. Another tiny foal stands curiously, impatiently, at the side of Ktulu's daughter. Heart ached and twisted within the bony confines that held it, remembering hushed whispers and dreamy eyes when things had been somewhat right in the world. How precious she found these weak, innocent creatures, and yet she kept them from her with the chill upon her cheekbones and the deserted look within her her gaze. When had they entered the world, she pondered. They had slipped like thieves into the home she cherished, unseen and unheard by the silent reaper of the night. Had everyone found it fit to not inform her of these happenings? She, who held the power to heal and help should any problems arise? It seems the shadow truly is unnoticed and unimportant. Love cannot be ignored, for it shines like the rays of the sun from the stallion whose scent is of a rather distinctly different herd. It is as if Ktulu is his center, his gravity, the sun his life and being revolves around. It is almost painful to witness, and yet it makes her sigh softly in longing. Maybe if someone gazed at her as he did Ktulu, the warmth could chase away the shadows and melt away the ice that had clutched her heart and kept romantic love away since her beloved's untimely, agonizing end. How can she hate or envy someone so deeply, purely in love? Like honey it flowed and clung to his words, and she felt invasive and wrong despite the arrival and presence of the beautiful alabaster doll who was clearly the bearer of the other tiny fae. Too much time has passed since the first announcement of the newborn's title, and yet Ophelia passes it along to her unknowingly. Ranjiri. Roskuld, too, is a name she is unfamiliar with. Clearly it is not the name of the stallion to her right, and the soft, intimate tone suggests even further that the princess is conversing with her offspring. She has been watching the family for a few moments, heliotrope lenses softening into shades of lavender in the vibrant array of colors the morning brings. Strange, it seemed her thoughts had kept her so much longer. Aodaun brings her to life, as if she was an automaton and he was the key to her motion. An emerald glitters at her breast, held by a loop of dark earthen metal. Behind it a flash of silver chain and a gem of turquoise and frost. Light catches and like a prism swirls off into a delicate rainbow wherever she strides. Memory fondly recalls the time when she had kissed the brow of the newborn twins Phaedra had given life to, and despite the dead look in her gaze when it travels over the adults, there is a weak, faint glow that appears as she steps close to the newborn. Ao halts an appropriate distance away with a soft command, whining softly. It is clear she is carrying a burden, even if his concern had not been so obvious to the ears. Even so it is set aside, temporarily shrugged off so that she can welcome this bright young soul to a dark world. "Ranjiri..." Name rolls like silk off her unguardedly tired feminine tone. Tasting each syllable, each letter, until it is familiar through one utterance. Spindly legs have yet to test the earth, and so the lean vixen sashayed closer while she had the time. Orchid meets rose, and Lakota wished she could give something more to this little flower that would bloom in a garden of lies and pain. "Your beauty will only be transcended by your heart and strength, little one." Just as she blessed Hotaru and Raeden, the words fall like a soothing summer rain as she revels in the practice of her homeland. It is a soft, intimate murmur meant only for Ranjiri's ears, but not quiet enough to seem suspicious. It is doubtful the others do not hear her, but her gaze never wavers and she prays her voice follows the example it sets. "May the wind only ever lift you higher, and the earth never cover your path. If it shall, let the shine of the moon above be your guiding light, the sun a protection of light and goodness that will force evil away from your heart, and time gift you with a swift return home. Never forget that you are precious, Ranjiri. Should you ever need me, I am only a breath away. I will always look over you, even when you think I am gone." Lids closed and she let her muzzle drop gently to press a kiss to the tiny brow of the child. Magic tingled through her lips, with no wound to stitch and no ache to soothe. Praying it would comfort and strengthen her as the earth was steady and constant beneath their weight. Once this was done she pulled back once more, and with some careful shifting managed to slip the chain of the first amulet from her shoulders to her chin. Crown turned and teeth caught hold of the dangling chain, freeing it from her body and letting it turn until it faced the correct way. Carefully she draped it over the tiny face, and settled it almost lovingly at the base of her little shoulders. It was a muted mix of copper and chartreuse, an attractive compliment to her dark coat, a beautiful canvas of deep umber and subtle henna. Flare of sunshine blonde hairs cascaded like a flowing river of gold over her delicate face, staining the flight feathers of her wings and dipping each little leg in perfect goldenrod. Pale white-blonde hairs were fluffy and puffed out like a freshly groomed kitten, clearly from Ktulu. Lies had not touched her lips during her blessing, as it was wrong to even think of something so horrid during such a special-at least, to her- ceremony. Once it rested over her heart, deep jade stone large on her frail bones, the lean minx shifted away from where she had set the chain that held something so precious and looked into her deep albino irises once more. Smile came to her lips, something playful and secretive, even if Ranjiri was too young to know much of what she was doing or saying. "If I cannot come to your side in time, and should this group of lovely people be unable to move the mountains that they surely would were you in danger, use this. It is a piece of me, and now it is a piece of you. Welcome to the world, Ranjiri," she breathed softly. With that, her blessing was complete. Straightening from the bent position she had been in, the coal smudged lass turned her eyes to the other little creature that stood at the newborn's side. Hardly above the age herself, there was a fierce electric fire to her soul that Lakota was amused and saddened to see. It would win her trouble time and again, and there would always be someone stronger and more advanced ready to knock you down no matter how many wins stacked beneath your belt. Pain would pierce her own shriveled heart to see the spirited babe fall to her knees even once. Like a river of ink she slipped between the glowing adults, a guardian angel on her own private mission, plucking the feathers from her own wings to weave into their manes. As weary and heartbroken as her face may betray, she would not let this spike of kryptonite in her bloodstream keep her from giving these new sparks a puff of encouraging air. A glance to her pale queen, for she is not as close to this twin as she is the other. No harm would come to Roskuld in her presence, but Lakota knew that maternal instincts didn't give a damn when it came to a possible threat. Bending is not required, and the supple willow branch of her form sways only slightly lower to kiss the crown of the child, once more aware of the horn that is sprouting from her skin. Though the Time Lord had never graced her with his fabulous presence, Lakota could at least sense that this cherub would not react as kindly to her earthen kiss as her cousin. Instead she pulled away, giving the slightly older child a little more room. She has grown, is building more of a personality and an intelligence that will follow. With the sass the dark princess can spot in her as easily as a scar upon her hide, giving her a little more space would likely be for the best. Liquid chocolate eyes are only interrupted by a sharp shock of cobalt. Just as her cousin, the exiled royal held her gaze firmly. Should the little missy look away, it would not discourage her words. Stubbornly, almost desperately, she ignored the other adults that stood so close. So many hurts in one place, she would be unable to handle it for long. Aodaun's soft whines crackled with a few growls, as if confused whether to be sad along with her or jump to protect her, sensing she was in need of time alone. A swish of her plume and he snorted unhappily, refusing to sit and instead standing. Time was running short. "Roskuld..." And this name held yet another flavor, for instead of dark chocolate it was almost like candy that sparkled furiously in her mouth. "I can see you will become a hellion quite soon, a pearl and sapphire flame that everyone will hesitate to cross paths with when you burn." Weak amusement twisted her maw. "Protect those who do not have your courage, Roskuld. Let your words be true, no matter if others would prefer to be blind and happy in a fantasy world. Stand up for what you believe, and never let another touch the hide of any you hold to your heart, or that of your own." Oh, there was so much she wanted to say! So much wisdom she wished to impart upon a mind too new to understand, so many wishes and loving hopes! Yet like a loose thread over worried by nervous hands, she was unraveling faster the more time went on. "Let the earth give you the strength and stability to overthrow any who dare to try and stop you. Let time give you long life, full of adventure and excitement. I pray the light of the moon will keep you on your honest path, and the sun blaze away any dark creatures that try to plague your mind when you are weak. May the wind make you swift and storms grant you ferocity wherever you desire to use it." Throat is growing closed and a soft clearing of it is nearly a roar in her own ears. Faint trembling was starting in her knees, enough only for her to feel. Ao shifted restlessly, but advanced no farther. Even he would not disobey Lakota, no matter how upset she was growing. "You have family around you always, Roskuld. I hope you will not be too proud or too scared to let them carry you when you cannot move, and let them hold your heart when you are hurting." Oh, she knew the price of pride. Perhaps Roskuld wouldn't heed these unknown words even if she had understood, if only because Lakota knew the rebellious fire that existed in her heart. Again she shimmied her long neck, removing the second amulet and holding it within her jaws. It caught the rising sun and flared in a mix of brilliant silver and electric blues, accented only by dark coal smudges in the metal chain and the whites that swirled like thick whipping cream within the mottled beryl of the stone. Just as she had moments before she draped it over the tough little gal's head and settled it against her heart as well. As she was drawing away she gave the same promise whispered sincerely into the small ears of Roskuld's cousin. "You will always want to protect yourself, little Roskuld. But when your strength fails you, and you start to feel the first tickles of fear, remember me and let this protect you. Be safe, little bluejay. Do not let pride wash you away as it did me, do not feel weak for using it in dire times. I am always at your side and in the shadows, even if you never call upon me." Silken muzzle drifted over the bridge of her little bluejay's nose, barely a kiss, and then she was turning in a tight circle and returning to Aodaun. His dark amethyst orbs were only interrupted by the raven furls that reminded others that he was a companion, no mere bear and yet no simple replica of his cherished one. Once his princess was by his side did the shuffling and growling stop, her Knight in snowy armor, even if he was only as tall as her knee. Canines still flashed uncertainly in response to her frazzled emotions, but other than that Lakota's quiet pleading through their secret network of knowledge kept him complacent. Even with so many needles sticking out of the voodoo doll they had made of her heart, Lakota managed to keep the serene, aristocratic expression. The curse of her family revealed everything through her eyes, but other than the few smiles given to the children, that mask had thankfully yet to crack. Oh, how the unnamed lover of Ktulu reminded her of Ithrim's love! And how it made her long for someone to stare at her with such devotion, such understanding of her soul! And Ktulu and Ophelia, how she longed to know the pride and love of a mother gazing upon their newborn. How badly it hurt to know that, even as she foolishly thought that she and Ktulu were forming a strong bond, that she would be oblivious to any love interests and even the conception of her daughter. Love was the one think Lakota was missing, and yet the sharp spines she had glued to her personality kept all others from getting close enough to give it to her. It hurt enough to sear her, but her lip only gave the tiniest of trembles when she elegantly twisted her neck to gaze over one delicate, sinewy shoulder. "You are all blessed. Let this happiness stay in your hearts as long as possible. You, stallion!" She suddenly barked, the velvet girly tone she owned morphing back to the masculine growl she used around most of the Grey. Gaze narrowed upon him like a hawk, uncaring of how her leaders felt about this possible threatening of his being. "You seem an honest soul, but we all can act. If you so much as force my Chieftess to shed a tear, stomp a leg in anger, or do any worse...I shall rip you to shreds and poison your lungs, only to heal you and repeat the process until I pass you on to Ophelia, or she passes you on to me." Plum fires surged in her gaze, a blood insignia seal that stamped her threat and made it into a promise for the future should any condition be met. Giving a wry, bitter grin, she turned her face away. This next line could not be said while they could see through the windows to her soul. "Congratulations on becoming mothers and fathers. I hope you have strength for the journey ahead, and that you will love one another enough to make even the immortals jealous. Cherish them," she managed to whimper out at the end. All throughout her voice had been strong, but the sting of evil revenge had shot up behind her eyes. Cherish them as I would have cherished the foal I always wanted from the only person that loved me. And the shadow collected her little parcel, a false glimmer of light that is truly the reflection of all into a void of nothing. Long pillars give her the easy, catty saunter of a temptress, and yet her hips do not sway seductively. No, she is jogging as fast as she can away from the happy family gathering without making it obvious that she is tempted to run as fast as her hooves can carry her away from these awful ghosts. They teased and laughed, pulled her hair, stubbornly returning just when she had thought them gone. Reminding her of her failures, her inadequacies, her destructive and unlovable nature. Everything she touched, everything she loved, wilted away as easily as the plants she infected with her poison. She envied them, longed and ached for this beautiful part of their lives, and yet she prayed to every god she knew that they would be allowed happiness for as long as possible. They didn't deserve to go through what she had. At least they had their little ones, Lakota had not even been granted that one special soul to carry on the memory of the person she had considered her one true love. Hoping the amulets would protect the unstained, fluffy-winged angels, Kota only let the binds around her snap when they were out of sight and hearing range. How badly she wished to scream her anger and agony, but that would be too loud. Instead she let her legs draw her into the forestry at speeds that would likely be considered extremely dangerous when combined with the slick, dewy ground of Orangemoon's colorful morning. Running could not shake the memories, the longing and feeling of betrayal of her tentative hopes and emotions, but it could at least drain her enough until she could destroy her surroundings in a fit of rage and then fall into a listless sleep. Shadows are indistinguishable, lacking all signs of individuality. Lakota grit her teeth, finishing the sentence her thoughts had spun what seemed like ages ago in quite a different fashion. Shadows are indistinguishable, lacking all signs of individuality. They blend into the background, always there but never important enough to notice. Their services are only employed when it benefits the other. Shadows are better off forgotten. ----- ooc: Hope this isn't too much powerplay! M.E. I know I didn't inform you of the amulet, if you don't want it I can change it <3 Any problems with the PP (I tried to keep it minor, sorry) just PM me and I'll edit it in a jiffy. Also...really sorry for the length o----o was NOT expecting the rambling.  |
