It lifted its troubled skull, his anatomy quivering violently just beneath his ebony hide, a sad wash of gray bathing the scene. Once, he stopped, silencing the zephyr, allowing his great wings to unfold. All grace had faded from him, and as the wind wipped the stallion's face it seemed to bear flesh so unpredictable.
Skells halted, lifting his skull in attempt to inhale the fragrance of the Throat. As he did so, his mane whipped in the wind, fraying at the ends like the banners of the sky frayed so dully, too. His lungs tasted nothing but the colors of the coppice. With a snort, he tossed his head before continuing onward. Ivory hooves reverberated across the mossy flesh of the earth, luring insects from their cozy homes underground. Again, the brute snorted wildly, treading heavily across the small hills shadowed from treetops.
The dark beast whipped his tail against his flank, the hairs feeling quite coarse indeed. But, with a glint of his silvery eyes, Skells took in the aroma. It was bittersweet, and he'd come for nothing in particular. Who knew what lie beyond these lands? He'd left his home in search of something, however. Something he could not explain, but needed to pursue as if his life depended on it. And thus, the Pegasus stood before the overgrowth, basking silently in the shine, and he awaited so freely.
Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
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| Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE |
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Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc
Riven |
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It was where pines began to dwindle and ferns grew lavish. Where sunlight filtered through dense canopies only in pencil shafts and mildew thrived in perpetual, dank shade. There, stirred mould spores danced and mushrooms peeked through rotting-leaf rugs. It was daylight again, she could tell. The heavy awning of rich evergreen emerald, flecked with the sparse browning foliage of the mislaid Ashes, and lost Birches was bursting with the chorus of song-birds and the grating, guttural squabbling of elusive, rainbow parrots. She considered, based from this that it was perhaps mid-morning. Breakfast had been long finished and lunch-time foraging loomed as an excited, impulsive tick in routine minds. They shared in common two things; the gift of glorious flight, and intricately laced feathers- wings, modern and extravagant in a world still crawling with primitive, earthbound sub-species.
Africa had spent a long night gathering the velvet tendrils of rabbit-foot ferns- the delicacy both rare and luxurious. Her intention was to return home, bearing gifts to those whose bonds ached through each pulse of her sensitive, emotional heart. The situation was grim though, and she paused as a soured expression spread across her snowy-bald face. ”Silly and greedy, silly and greedy...” she cursed herself quietly, peering wistfully at the two remaining roots which lay nestled against the bed of the leaf encasing them. ”You have eaten them all!” It had been a fruitful scavenge; rewarding given the hours she had devoted, though now guilt and remorse ruined the fulsome contentment which swelled through her engorged belly.
There was naught she could do now though, and though bothered enormously by her gluttony, the young dapple grey mare skilfully gathered the corners of the leaf together between the delicate clutch of her teeth and continued forward at a sluggish, weary walk. She was crossing the invisible line which marked the boundary between forests; the lush rainforest-like one to the south, and the shabby, sun-drenched pungent pine forest cloaking Helovia’s eastern rim. The ‘Deep Forest’ was impenetrable for the most part from the sky, and likewise- unless small and manoeuvrable enough to climb through vine-like, intertwined branches, it was impossible for one of Africa’s stature to find the sky.
So she was escaping to the Threshold whose canopy did not interlock. The pines grew tall, with spindly tops, and narrow grassy fissures between their close growing clusters allowed free travel for the many Pegasus’ around.
Hastening still north, the land inclined steeply beneath her sure tread, as though lifting from the pit of the earth itself- fitting, for the mould riddle forest behind seemed to fall well below sea-level. As the light began to sift down finally, breaking through, Africa glanced upward to see dim grey, streamer clouds traipsing casually across the bright blue day. They were driven by a callous, wind- cast perhaps by the very breath of Frostfall himself and the young horse shivered as it swept down head-on, dragging the thick wad of tangling forelock back from her eyes.
She was pleased when she passed through a glade, the sun’s glow bathing the little patch and for a moment she paused to enjoy the contrast to the shade beneath which she had spent so long. It was while she was there, exposed and slothfully basking that she noticed the well concealed face of another, peering back at her through some mid-height, though dense undergrowth. A pensive sigh fluttered her velvet lined nostrils and she tilted her face with a smile. Carefully she placed her parcel against the slope of her cold, tan hooves. “Hello there?” So far she did not move from the comfort of her position, instead she invited the stranger out of hiding to join her, concluding with a amiable giggle. “Come enjoy the sunlight with me. Frostfall will be upon us before we know it!”
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Seemingly abrupt, Skells threw his head up to a somewhat friendly nicker. A mare he beheld, one of a dapper flesh, and one of perhaps high-spirits. He froze however, whipping his ebony tail against his quivering flank. He disdained encounters, and believed they were stony.
He pinned his ears momentarily, allowing great sunlight to cast upon him, and his silver eyes wavered. "Greetings?" He bore, a gruff voice erupting from his throat. His still figure faltered a bit, and he used a great foreleg to scrape at the mossy earth beneath his ivory hooves. "Might you be seeking company, I see?" The dark-pelted male spoke again, unhinging a great jaw.
It seemed as if the female (Africa) did not think much of his questionable presence. It seemed almost normal to her. Cocking his frame, Skells took a step towards her, perking his lobes towards the mare. Unaware of her advances, he continued with a curious flicker in his pupil.
Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
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| Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE |
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Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc
Riven |
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Cool and crisp, the mid-morning wind twirled playfully between the forest pines, swishing between needle leaves and stirring their lazy droop into a frenzied dance. Africa listened indolently to the steady wash of white-noise around her, but her ears were tipped forward, towards the stallion who lingered- perhaps in hesitation, between the flimsy protection of the thicket and wiry bushes surrounding him. She tilted her face, soft golden eyes still peering openly at him and her peaceable, inviting demeanour never faltered. All about her young white face, grey tendrils of long oily, brown-tipped hair swirled wildly- whipped up by the teasing wind to tangle and knot against itself. She seemed oblivious though, never being one to fuss over the appearance of her shell. In the early days she would bath and groom devotedly, but being the adventurer she was, it always resulted in the undoing of such contentious work. These days, the grey dapples cloaking her were tinged rusty desert-red, and appropriately, the dusty scent of sand clung to her unkempt form.
"Greetings?" Came the first response and although seemingly small and reserved, it was enough to rouse a pleasured grin across her thin, rough black lips. She nodded politely, encouraging his effort, given the uncertain flicker of his ears and distracted nature of his wavering eyes. She meant no harm, and the effortless tranquillity through her flaccid muscles portrayed that easily to any present to witness. She was a gentle heart, simple and tactless perhaps, but equally honest and charitable.
Still unconvinced apparently, the stallion pawed uneasily at the forest floor. "Might you be seeking company, I see?" His voice was rough, husky and utterly masculine she thought as she listened diligently. Again she nodded and apparently he was finally able to surrender to the temptation of her patient and accommodating company. He stepped forward, thrusting one white-socked leg before the next and as he approached her, Africa thought in silence that his figure as a whole looked rather striking. Once again, a thoughtful snort fluttered through her nostrils. He was shorter than she, remarkably so, though the ebony wings clutched against his glossy black barrel were much longer and larger. Their enormity reminded her instantly of her darling herd-brother Ahi, and the left corner of her mouth quirked fondly at the thought.
Her head jerked suddenly, righting itself from the previous pensive tilted posture- though not in alarm. Her eyes sparkled with proposal and she began to speak with a hushed tone, though loud enough to pierce the thrum of forest noise around them. “Why don’t you join me for lunch?” Africa glanced down, gesturing with a bob of her muzzle towards the opened leaf, and the two silver-furred roots lying snugly within it. To the unwitting eye it probably seemed only the smallest of portions, perhaps hardly enough even for a bird to enjoy. In actual fact though, Africa was still quite engorged after devouring the other fruits of her long labour; rabbit-foot fern roots were satisfying to say the least.
[Riven ooc: Just a note; I don’t know if you are meant to change the colour of your font unless you are using a table. There are free tables for us to use here if you like. Also, don’t forget the 250 word count rule ;) ]
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S K E L L S
Malign seemed to drip from the sun-quenched canopies above,
and it allowed a muted nicker to vibrate from deep within his heaving
chest. Unaware of intentions, the phantom of a beast tread onward,
ivory hooves thrusting back and forth until his immense figure was
before the great mare. With receptors shoved forth, Skells nodded his
skull towards the female equine, signaling some sort of distorted
attraction. With a simper melting upon his whiskered lips, the beast
whipped his tail once more across his shining flank. "As long as no
crimson will be shed," he started, carefully watching Africa with
silver-twined iris'. "I will join." With another distracted nicker,
he caught glance of her rippling muscles. Pretending not to notice,
the stallion reached her side. His hooves played a childish melody
across the thin grasses beneath, and the dandelions that sprouted
beneath his hooves were now happily flattened against the moistened
earth, their sallow-hued petals now mangled and stained in dark soil.
His mane bounced gently with every stride, and the male stole a few
sights of the mare. It seemed she was of high-spirits, and his silver
pupils flickered in interest. As they continued onward, a gentle zephyr
twined through his feathered wings, and slyly he outstretched them
to show off their great lengths. "Dapper you are," he coyly breathed,
flicking a lobe towards her. "Must I say."
The duo walked. And simply, it was grand.
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[OOC - I'm deeply sorry. Forgive me. It must have slipped my mind earlier, but it won't happen again. Thanks!
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Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
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| Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE |
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Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc
Riven |
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An airy giggle; a contented smile- Africa was the epitome of temperament trapped in blissful youth. Her eyes embraced him as he sauntered closer, smiling and warm as they reflected the sun’s steady glow. When he nodded she did also, kindly, and welcoming his decision broadly; so much so that she gathered the corners of the leaf at her feet and drew gracefully and graciously across the remainder of the closing distance between them. Pausing to listen with one knee still suspended, she delicately placed the parcel again as he spoke. "As long as no crimson will be shed," He said, perhaps questioning her motives and still locked in suspicion. "I will join." Africa chortled humbly and tossed the soft tendrils of light-grey forelock from her snowy completion. She was a gentle spirit, opposed to wrath generally, and the cruelty of war. But as he trusted to her his insecurity, Africa was reminded of the demonic threat of the northern territory- the Plague.
“I am no threat to you, or anyone else.” She confirmed softly, closing her eyes and drawing in a long breath in an attempt to cleanse her mind of such wretched thoughts. When they opened, a patient tranquillity had resumed in their pale, golden pools. He came then to her side, and Africa placed a gentle tap on his shoulder to comfort him and assure him of her dependability. Placing her hoof squarely for balance, she knelt to collect her fruits- one eye watching admiringly, as he stretched his unfurled wing mass into the subtle breeze. She lifted her face to smile, though it was hindered slightly as she gripped the gathered leaf between her teeth. "Dapper you are," the stallion told her, matching the softness of her own tone and his bashfulness touched her heart... "Must I say." Africa was as modest as she was simple, and she could not prevent the butterflies as they began to stir amongst the plant-matter filling her belly; such flattery was something she was not familiar with.
“I know the perfect place...” The young horse announced peaceably through the clench of her teeth. Without force or manipulation, she guided their direction to the south (subconsciously clear of the malicious threat looming in the north), into a much larger clearing then the one she had been occupying when she had first noticed the stallion. Within it, she halted and set the leaf down again, before shifting to face her company front on. “I’m Africa from Dragon’s Throat.” She introduced herself courteously, dipping her face in playful salutation and then bumping his muzzle with her velvety black nose. Afterwards, while she awaited his response, Africa pushed one of her two roots across the thin grass towards him; a gift of sorts, and a hearty meal it would be.
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S K E L L S
The great male strode onward, focusing his silver optics on his
company's cordial complexion. They trotted south-bound, and mildly
so, seldom stopping for observations of the nature that twitted
around them. Upon meeting the female, who was soon
deemed 'Africa', the great ebony pegasus had mustered up his shy
jovial attitude, and now wore it like a crown. Somewhat giddy, Skells
perceived the snowy mare's lush tassle. The fine hairs bobbed
merrily as she stepped, brushing against her flanks. After a few
moment's silence, the dark stallion unhinged his whiskered maw to
speak. "I am Skells," he comtemplated carefully, as if such
basic introductions were to reveal his entire realm of secrets, and he
swiveled his ears back on his head, pretending to concentrate on an
insignificant noise in the ambits.
There was some sort of admirable shyness in him, whether it be
secretism or the concept of fear, but he seemed unlike himself now.
He seldom was bashful. "What a lovely scene," he spoke, a
nicker evading his quivering chest. And with that, he quickened his
pace only to find himself to the side of the mare. "I am from
lands great measurements from here," he revealed, his silver
orbs focused on nothing in particular in the distance. He could almost
feel the heat that the mare's thick hide produced, and he couldn't
stop his ear from twitching anxiously to her presence.
His white forehead sparkled gently under the glow of the great sallow
cosmo, just as his ivory socks did. Thrusting his great forelegs as he
walked onward to a place unfathomably, he continued. Africa would
lead the way. He'd soon find himself... somewhere.
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Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
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| Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE |
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Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc
Riven |
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Around them the cool air stirred in lazy bursts, rustling through the frost burnt, shrivelled leaves which held their purchase on otherwise nude trees stubbornly, and with grim determination. A curious glance found his silvery eyes wandering, and Africa sensed a subtle insecurity, or perhaps she thought kindly, reclusiveness. "What a lovely scene," Skells said gently, after a carefully guarded, intriguing introduction, even before they had arrived at the top of the sloped sun-drenched clearing. "I am from lands great measurements from here," he continued quickly, sliding to walk by her warm flank.
“Oh?” She hummed promptly in response, and peered with peaking interest through the pale hazel eye closest to him. “I am not from Helovia either, though now it is home. Are you staying, or are you just passing through?” By then, the pair had slipped from the rib-like shade of the pine forest and into the tranquil glade. Once stopped she turned to face her innocently awkward company, bumping him gently with her bristly whiskered nose and passing him with one of the furry fern roots, which would be his gourmet lunch- albeit a little early in the day.
“Tell me of your homeland Skells, what brings you here?” Africa asked softly, and she rocked backwards to relax her weight across burly hindquarters. Cheerfully, and hoping to encourage him to shed his reservations further in her honest, trustworthy company, the dapple grey smiled warmly, then lowered her face to gobble her delicious root. Still her belly ached with all that she had eaten through the night just passed, but she ignored it for the sake of her new dining companion, and listened with enduring attention for his response.
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[ooc: ooooh hey!! <3 <3 Soooo glad you came back :) xxx]
S K E L L S
A rather brisk zephyr revelled against the frosty earth,
intertwined with the occasional silver snowflake. Africa was correct
indeed; Frostfall had laid its cold hand across the land with bitter
hast. Alas, the pallid female allowed her muzzle to proceed closer to
his, manifested roots clenched between her ivories, and Skells
greeted the nutrition with a gratified nicker. He enjoyed his gelid
companion, and with some sense of rapture, he snorted leerishly
before pressing his steaming nose into her flank, perhaps a sign
of affection. When she asked him of his origin, the male snapped his
attention back to the front half of her body, and another bashful
chortle arose from his barrel. "I come from lands of great
temperatures," he started, using his metallic gaze to intrigue her.
"Where the wind is hot, and sands blur your vision. It is from this
of which I seek a newer, more becoming land." The dark brute
shifted on his hooves, the frosty current thwapping playfully with his
mane. His figure was elusive, now, as his somber hide clashed
recklessly with the white wash of winter. Africa's image, however,
seemed to compliment the bleakness of the season, and perhaps
cheered it to a more fulgent landscape. With great wings folded
against his heaving barrel, the male did not intend on consulting
the grim matters of his origin, so he used his wide skull to nod
towards his welcoming company. "Helovia," he said through
leathery lips, testing the word out as she had done. "I've never
encountered that compass."
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[OOC - Thanks, Riv =D I seemed to have forgotten how fun it was.]
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Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
| Deceased |
| Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE |
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Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc
Riven |
06-19-2013, 08:02 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-19-2013, 08:06 PM by Africa.)
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The stallion’s sleek ebony coat glistened blissfully as his lungs billowed forth a gracious sound, a nicker; a sign she believed that they were now bonding. Still she smiled towards him, pleased that Skells appeared to be softening against her relentless sincerity, and the modest grey trembled with delight when his flaccid nostrils pressed convivially against her mottled hide. She couldn’t help but wonder whether it was a quirk in his personality that had kept her advances at arm’s length; perhaps some turning point in his life had caused the rigid walls to grow prickly and dense about him, Africa was unsure, but she did not judge his trepidation at all. She had met many others during her Helovian adventures; few matched her blithe effervescence, most seemed confronted by her childlike ignorance. Many also shared this wary mind-set which plagued her new Pegasus friend, and Africa worked hard to sooth away its bristles so that he might be comfortable at last, and share the tranquillity which her graceful company offered.
He chuckled, the sound deep and throaty as it slipped from his parting lips, and Africa giggled with him, because beneath the baggage which weighed down his fine masculine form, she imagined him to be sweet; possibly just a misunderstood soul in a sea filled with more just the same. She was a creature of such basic naivety that she could not watch from the sidelines as melancholy threatened her kin- Skells bore wings just as she did, so naturally, someplace far down their ancestral lineage they were bound to one another.
"I come from lands of great temperatures," the stallion answered, locking her waiting eyes with his enchanting silver pools. ."Where the wind is hot, and sands blur your vision. It is from this of which I seek a newer, more becoming land." Africa shifted thoughtfully then as he finished for the moment, the silence building but unable to crack through their chained wondering stare. She nodded, understanding that perhaps he wished not to divulge further, but delayed voicing her thoughts while he seemed ready to speak again. Skells nodded, and repeated the name of the country whose magical shores had enticed them both for separate reasons. "I've never encountered that compass." He continued pensively, and Africa followed the trail of his steel-hued eyes as they began to rove through the forest around their glade.
“Helovia is worth exploring.” She began through a fond sigh. The merry song of mated wrens burst through the clearing, and the cool breeze swept forward to carry the crisp sound closer. With fluttering ears she listened, but did not waver her attention away from Skells. “There is much to see, and more still to learn. From what I have witnessed in my time here, there is culture and Lore beyond my wildest dreams.” Africa was a dreamer, and thus traipsing through the crowded corridors of Helovia’s history, myths and marvels was a favourite past time- that, and dabbling amongst the lavish flora which adorned its vast face.
“Do you have any interests? My home offers different classes, though I have not decided under which I will study yet.” She frowned light-heartedly at her indecisiveness, and stepped forward to butt her pale forehead against the stark groove of his jet black shoulder. “I am eager. I’m sorry.” She blushed though it was unnoticeable, concealed well beneath her ashen complexion. “You are welcome to call Dragon’s Throat home, if a home is what you seek. I’m afraid it might offer little respite from the place which you described though- it is surrounded by tides of desert sand.” She laughed jovially, perhaps a little nervously, given that dust and heat were obviously not his preferred environment.
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[ooc: If you wanted to request are or tables or anything, you are welcome to post in the Art Nook. Click Here is offering some free art if you were interested? ]
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