the Rift


[OPEN] Troubled Souls

Lace the Silverthorn Posts: 459
Deceased atk: 5 | def: 9 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Equine :: 15.3 hh :: 14 HP: 65 | Buff: NOVICE
Fajira :: Plain White Dragon :: Fire Breath Chan
#1

LACE</style>
Time Flies - Time Dies
Truth like a blazing Fire
</style>



Once again his path had brought him to the rim of the glowing abyss. It was now one of few places where it was more hot than cold, a rare source of light and warmth in a world that slowly was beginning to die.
Had they ever known how important the sun was for the life of Helovia? Not only for warmth but for sustenance, for vital substances Lace didn't even know existed, but that none the less affected both him and the land around him. Slowly but surely the frost hardened its grip on the ground, freezing roots and seeds that normally would have escaped this far south. A perpetual fog had settled over the ashen plain as fire and ice battled over dominion of the soil - ice freezing, lava thawing and scorching. A different time the war might have resulted in tough, acid-tasting grass as the increased moisture encouraged growth of new shoots, but without even the pale winter sun, nothing would begin to grow.

What was it that constantly drove him to come and stare into the boiling mass of molten rock? Time and again the silver grullo ended up in almost the same spot, thoughts churning events of past and present, speculated about what the future might bring and what was happening below the surface of the Heart. He was one of few who knew that a very different civilization lived beneath his very feet, deep within the depths of the crater. Small, ugly gremlins most closely resembling misshaped dragons had carved out an existence below ground and appeared to thrive down there. Did they know of the disappearance of the gods? Did they care, did they feel the grip of darkness closing in on themselves?

The stallion sighed and tore the gaze away from the glowing pit, blinking to remove the blinding spots that danced before his eyes. Sparing a quick glance at the little dragon that danced and played in the updrafts from the volcano, Lace then turned his back to the source of the heat and began to walk away from it, scouring the ground in search for something, anything, that seemed even remotely edible. Hunger had been a constant companion for some time, harder to slake than he was used to. The Edge was a lush land, constantly watered by mist and a warm ocean breeze; but now even the hardy coastal grasses were dwindling, not nearly enough to sustain the population of horses that huddled beneath the gleaming canopies.

But food wasn't the only thing that kept him away from his home now, he had to admit that. Neither was it the threat of further violence or the order that prevented him from taking revenge on those who had murdered his loved ones. No, it was a small little monster that had settled in the guts, called jealousy, that made it so hard to look his leader in the eye. One time had they stood close enough to feel the heartbeats of one another fasten, once had they shared words that shouldn't have been uttered... and now he just couldn't forget. Something had changed, whether it was him or her or both of them - and he didn't like it. It had been fine being friends, and the burning emotions that time after time crept up whenever Mirage was mentioned made that impossible. Who, after all, craved to be physically intimate with their friends?

Struggling to push the subject out of his mind Lace began to circle around the crater, nose towards the ground and silken mane dragging over stones and rubble as he went, using scent and touch as much as sight to find what he was looking for. Eyes weren't much use lately, and slowly the steed was growing more adept at relying on the other senses. If it hadn't been for the cold and the lack of food he might even have been fine if the Ever Night would end up continuing as the norm.

CREDITS: Schwartze | venomxbaby | 116802
BronzeHalo.deviantart.com
♦ Permission granted to use magic and violence on Lace and Fajira
♦ Only tag in new threads, spars and if it's urgent
The Store | The Warden

Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
Deceased
Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE
Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc Riven
#2
Look down, the ground below is crumbling
Look up, the stars are all exploding

It was a memory that had been swept away into the farthest reaches of her mind, buried beneath the burning imprint of a nightmare, and the macabre monsters that haunted it. She followed the simmering urge as it branched through her miserable heart, believing perhaps that it was just the nagging guilty grief; driving her existence from the night-gripped borderline of her subdued home. A terrible secret dancing across her stiffened tongue; clipped and caged, but threatening always to break through and betray the confidence held by her clan. She shivered, unable to escape the fault, and the shame which pursued her.

The half-built wall rose as ominous shadow through the grim shade of night time, and Africa stepped coyly between the crumble of great limestone blocks towards its edge, rather than allowing herself the privilege of passing with dignity through the unformed gateway. Silas wheeled high aloft the curling currents of salty ocean wind, scanning the area lying ahead of his bonded always, with fine-tuned night vision. Far in the distance he witnessed a soft glow, the ever-burning pit across which he had passed once only, the day after his hatching- though now, its flames were doused. The Zephyr preferred the tranquil darkness which choked their world, but he knew well that warmth would energize, to some degree, the drab spirit of the mare; and if not that, surely some form of food would bask and grow there.

Sweeping forward, he guided her in that direction with naught but the tender link of their hearts.

The crackling of frost beneath her hooves began to fade the nearer she crept to the once molten heart of the land, though it did little to smooth the stress-lines etched throughout her hungry frame. Many, many times Africa had sailed through the blue-sky ocean above, glancing down to marvel at the strange phenomenon which blazed and bubbled below a towering pillar of thick, black-brown smoke. It was a significant landmark, viewed by many to traversed heaven’s highways. There was another time though, long ago maybe, when she had waded through the fringe of long golden grass here on a quest... an adventure? She couldn’t remember.

The frivolity staining her past provoked a sharp, disgruntled snort from the unenthusiastic droop of her nose.

With mild interest, Africa noticed that the pasture she remembered was missing- a supple mattress now perhaps across the ground, a bed of unnourished death. Turning an ear uncertainly forward as she peered downwards, the horse placed a nervous hoof upon the flattened, mulch-strewn periphery of the Heart. The bird tasted her hesitation and swooped lower through the dim, flickering light. Gemstones shined where she stepped, though her hooves seemed to float above them, as though glass sheets lay as thick protection against the wily grasp of greed. Her honey eyes lifted, indifferent and cold.

It was Silas who noticed the stranger first, of course, from his vantage point above the mare. Roused from her cloud of lethargy by his sudden interest, she lifted her skull to peer ahead to where the unfamiliar outline of a horse was shuffling by the pit. A surge of apprehension flooded her awareness with hot, intoxicating adrenaline and Africa paused some distance from him still, waiting and watching; snagged and stuck on the thorn of her own distrust.

credits

Lace the Silverthorn Posts: 459
Deceased atk: 5 | def: 9 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Equine :: 15.3 hh :: 14 HP: 65 | Buff: NOVICE
Fajira :: Plain White Dragon :: Fire Breath Chan
#3

LACE</style>
Time Flies - Time Dies
Truth like a blazing Fire
</style>



Soft footfalls crossing through wilted grass and out onto glittering gravel made the head of the grullo lift suddenly from its bent down position, ears twirling forward in intrigue as he spied through the gloom towards the source of the sound. It wasn't hard to spot the figure that stood in the epicenter of the noise; it was the good thing about grays, really. No matter how little light there were it always seemed to gather around their coats, making it gleam and shimmer as though the very hairs on their bodies were little light sources of their own.

The light from this particular figure seemed as pale and distant as a memory of the moon though, and Lace couldn't help a small frown from forming as he took in her ragged shape, his own troubles immediately swept to the back of the mind when faced with the much more real problems of someone else. He came to a halt at a respectful distance and regarded the dove with growing concern, eyes moving from the shoulder where a feathered wing should have rested its feathery weight to the dull look in her soft brown eyes. Something had obviously happened, but what, and when?

A gentle nicker, wordless but reassuring slipped from his maw and set the lips into a small tremble; she had nothing to fear from him. No matter how far he had fallen from the image of honor and nobility he once had striven to live up to, Lace was still a gentle soul and wouldn't dream of harming someone who hadn't done him anything, let alone one who looked so lost and hurt as this young girl.

Carefully, eyes never leaving the pallor of her frame and constantly watching for signs of fear or unease, he shifted his weight forward and started towards her. Hoping, praying to the lost gods that she wouldn't see him as a threat. He itched to talk to her, hear her story, pick up some of her burden and carry it - so that he wouldn't have to chew on his own problems anymore.

Ah, how far he had fallen indeed.

CREDITS: Schwartze | venomxbaby | 116802
BronzeHalo.deviantart.com
♦ Permission granted to use magic and violence on Lace and Fajira
♦ Only tag in new threads, spars and if it's urgent
The Store | The Warden

Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
Deceased
Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE
Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc Riven
#4
Look down, the ground below is crumbling
Look up, the stars are all exploding

The sobering flavour of cinders formed a sticky paste in the back of her already parched throat as she watched vaguely, the horse fussing about the earth by the weakly smouldering pit. Naturally though, the soft wilt of her long dark lashes was drawn towards the light beside him; like a moth to a flame. She drew a deep, ash-tinged breath and coughed slightly as her pale eyes closed to remember finally, the rummy-nosed colt who had stalked her through the long swishing grass right here; or was it a blood-soaked wolf, gluttonous and ready to double his stash. Her perception of the world and all that had been, was critically distorted, and she cowered beneath a fog of confusion; aware only of the fresh scars tanning her hide and her spirit.

A cautious rumble resonated through the little Zephyr’s chest cavity. He watched warily as the stranger by the fire-pit turned, noticing Africa perhaps, and the mellow glow illuminated the silver-grey underside of him. His heart began to flutter quickly as his bonded struggled between realities, and he dipped gently through the twirl of cold breeze to alight atop her withers- a place where he could balance well enough without causing her discomfort, and offer the frail mare reassurance through touch. A gentle, careful chirp slipped through his sharp beak as it lowered to preen a matted lock of her mane, a fond nudge to stir her; to will open her eyes.

When they opened, Africa noticed that the stallion was moving forward towards her. Oblivious she had been to the muffled thud of his approach, lost in thought, and with shy reserve she turned away slightly, her primitive manner aloof and radiating distrust. The stranger paused then as a courtesy maybe, though her lowered eyes were sponging the dying turf below, in a semi-distracted way. The Zephyr’s violet eyes roamed about him in her stead, critical and fierce as they reflected what the little light available.

The stallion made a verbal bid for her deliberately straying attention, and his gentle nicker softened the visible rigidness of her hunched over posture. For a second she spared him a glance, and though fleeting it was, the sadness cloaking her expression gave way to a look more questioning, or suspicious. Perhaps if a horn, spear or the like had graced the point of web between his startling amber eyes, Africa might have flinched from his reach and scampered away through the camouflage of darkness. There was nothing though, not even ruffling feathers to each side, and she exhaled heavily, almost relieved, as his shadow spread across her.

He was neither her family, nor her enemy...

credits

Lace the Silverthorn Posts: 459
Deceased atk: 5 | def: 9 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Equine :: 15.3 hh :: 14 HP: 65 | Buff: NOVICE
Fajira :: Plain White Dragon :: Fire Breath Chan
#5

LACE</style>
Time Flies - Time Dies
Truth like a blazing Fire
</style>



The closer he got to her tattered bodice the more horrified he felt. He did his best to hide it, but as he took in the scarred shoulder where a wing should be attached and the other scars and scratches a scorching pity rose in the throat, threatening to choke him. Lace had never been able to fly. He was born without wings, without the blessing of a life above the clouds, and he would never be able to fully appreciate just how amazing it was to soar freely. But he was bonded to an airborne creature, one who spent more time roaming the sky than she did on the ground, and through the eyes of his dragon he had been able to experience some small part of the euphoric sensation of flying.

To see this beautiful filly grounded and broken was about the most horrific thing he could imagine. For all that he had waded through the blood of battlefields and spread death around him, few things appeared more awful than the fate of living without the joy of doing what one was meant to do. He could compare it to a life without a leg, without Fajira by his side, without eyes or ears or a tongue to speak with, and still he couldn't fully appreciate the pain she must be in, this dirtied swan of no name.

Not willing to push her patience even though she appeared to allow him close, the stallion inched to a halt some few feet away from the girl and breathed a sigh that spoke volumes about his concern for her. As the white plume rose into the inked sky a soft rumble erupted from his chest, a low vibration attempting to soothe and lull her into some semblance of peace. Was there anything he could do here? Inadequacy wasn't a feeling he was overly accustomed to, though recently the taste of it was growing more and more familiar. When he wouldn't and couldn't fight, what good was he really? Not a healer, a mediocre craftsman, a lousy spy... But maybe, just maybe he would still be able to function as a shoulder to lean on.

"My name is Lace, from World's Edge" he hummed quietly, gilded eyes seeking to meet the faded almond of her gaze. "I won't hurt you, and if you want to I can be a friend. Do you have a name, child? What can I call you?"

CREDITS: Schwartze | venomxbaby | 116802
BronzeHalo.deviantart.com
♦ Permission granted to use magic and violence on Lace and Fajira
♦ Only tag in new threads, spars and if it's urgent
The Store | The Warden

Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
Deceased
Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE
Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc Riven
#6
Look down, the ground below is crumbling
Look up, the stars are all exploding

Silas was tense with his lavender eyes fixed carefully to the stranger, wide and unblinking. Africa squirmed slightly beneath the delicate clasp of his long, razor-like talons, and he adjusted his balance skillfully upon her with opened wings. A warning rumble, something alike to the throaty gargle of a raven, swept forward to meet the stallion as he neared, though already their company was slowing. The young brave Zephyr held the horse before them with tried patience, unwilling to risk his bonded’s vulnerability to ignorance and denigration again. The young dappled mare had not eaten for days following their meeting with a tactlessly opinionated colt, and his foul upstart sibling. Her condition had deteriorated during that time, and her vigour was lost.

The stallion sighed deeply, and she turned a pale eye to investigate as he issued another murmur of sorts. It was a tender sound that further dimmed the tension pinching her rough dappled hide. Africa was quite exhausted and her expression was fraught with helplessness. She was unwilling to care for the traitor she loathed so much, and as a result her posture had grown haggard and pathetic.

"My name is Lace, from World's Edge."

Africa’s ears twitched as the unfamiliar voice danced between them. It had been some time since she had allowed herself company; just recently her confidence had been soured, her compatibility challenged, and now suddenly the one-winged mare’s breath increased with the lifting pace of her heart. Quietly his gaze roved forward to find the nervous wander of her own, and when they met finally he added with sensitiveness she had not expected, "I won't hurt you, and if you want to I can be a friend. Do you have a name, child? What can I call you?" A sharp snort erupted as her velvety black nostrils flared.

Not long ago she had slept beneath the strange mists of his home. She had been nurtured by a white unicorn mare; her bones healed by another, hornless and slate grey- not dissimilar to Lace himself. His kin had cared for her with unwarranted warmth, and called themselves her friend. Africa remembered well that it was because of those who called the Edge home, that she had been freed from her prison cell, far to the north. Though her eyes dropped quickly away, a tingle of faith stirred in her stomach.

World’s Edge was a safe zone.

All at once she wanted to reveal the secret which split her mind. To shed the weight of guilt like a spineless coward, and repent. Her lips stiffened stubbornly though, and she fought away the surge of despondency when it threatened to betray her heart. I am Africa; I should be dead... "I’m nobody." She whispered at last through the clench of her teeth with downcast eyes. Silas purred quietly, offering what comfort to her he could, her unbridled emotion injecting the same agony into his loyal heart. Africa could betray neither the foolish quest of her herd-sister, nor the confidence of her gullible herd- it was only right that she protect both now, no matter the penalty on her soul.

credits

Lace the Silverthorn Posts: 459
Deceased atk: 5 | def: 9 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Equine :: 15.3 hh :: 14 HP: 65 | Buff: NOVICE
Fajira :: Plain White Dragon :: Fire Breath Chan
#7

LACE</style>
Time Flies - Time Dies
Truth like a blazing Fire
</style>


She was so tense, so wary of him that the gray steed barely dared to breathe in fear of startling her. The anxious glances she gave him just barely thawed as he revealed his name, but it was so slight a change that Lace would have missed it completely had he not been regarding her so intensely. His heart ached for the injured child and at the same time a searing, painful rage had begun to glow in the depth of his gut. An intense, unyielding hatred towards the ones who had dared to harm the filly to this extent, to the point where she didn't even feel pride over her own name. Nobody she called herself and the grullo at once felt so worn, so old and tired; because how would he ever be able to comfort a soul so broken as this one?

"Then I'll call you Nell" he said softly, struggling to keep the pity out of his voice - it was surely the last thing she needed right now. "You must be cold. Come, let's get closer to the Heart. There's nothing to eat or drink there, but at least you will have some warmth." He waited patiently to see if she would accept his suggestion, prepared to walk by her side should she begin to draw closer to the glowing hearth.

For a brief moment gilded eyes trailed towards the bird that perched atop her bodice, trying to offer the young guardian some small consolation. He wasn't going to harm the little pegasus, nor did he wish to upset her more than necessary with harsh questions. He just needed to figure out who she was, so that he could follow her home. Anywhere would be better than here, where the darkness and the searing fire had scorched the lands barren and killed any grasses that might have been able to sprout from the ashes.

"You have a beautiful companion there" he continued in a soft murmur, with the quiet hope that peaceful conversation might make Nell relax a bit more. "Does he have a name? I have a companion too, a small dragon named Fajira... You can see her if you look above the Heart, she's the white one playing around in the air. There's no need to be afraid of her, she's quite kind even though her tongue can be sharp at times. She's always telling me what to do, as though she's the older of us." Not that she was, but something about the draconian mind always gave him an impression of timelessness, as though the physical age wasn't the only thing that mattered.


CREDITS: Schwartze | venomxbaby | 116802
BronzeHalo.deviantart.com
♦ Permission granted to use magic and violence on Lace and Fajira
♦ Only tag in new threads, spars and if it's urgent
The Store | The Warden

Africa the Starry-Eyed Posts: 727
Deceased
Mare :: Pegasus :: 16 :: 6 (Tallsun) Buff: NOVICE
Silas :: Common Zephyr :: Roc Riven
#8
Look down, the ground below is crumbling
Look up, the stars are all exploding

"Then I'll call you Nell"

Slowly both eyes shifted towards the stallion at the suggestion that they a seek comfort by the smouldering pit of molten embers. Her guilty self-loathing resisted the pitiful need for such luxury, and her fetlocks stiffened so that she stumbled clumsily when finally her will caved.

Right then, she felt as though she were lost once more amid the snow-flurries as far to the edge of the brutal Basin as she could hope to manage. Always there were eyes trailing her broken and battered form; and always she was fearful that the cold, conniving earth might again spew that life stealing force which had claimed the breath of her ghost-sister. The cold soaked easily beneath the thin spread of matted dappled fur, and Africa shivered, longing secretly for the warmth Lace offered.

"You have a beautiful companion there" He continued, the strange fluid calmness filling the fissures throughout her heart. She did not notice that it was conveyed with slight force, it did not matter. His gentle tones and thoughtful presence were a healthy distraction for the oblivious mare and though still wary, she began subconsciously to circle the carefully placed bait. For a moment Africa paused suspiciously to consider, but her scatty thoughts were vague and did not align quickly enough to check the reply as it slipped her companion’s name innocently.

"Silas." Her voice was soft and still nervous as she lifted her face to find the dragon he spoke of drifting through the diluted, smoky air updrafts. Africa huffed to herself, and watched the dim white figure as Lace spoke on. Africa had seen Fajira’s kind before, while she rested in the company of Smoke and Hellena, and the little creature offered her the same reassurance that Zaffre had, through the steadying beat of Silas’s heart.

The Zephyr followed the switch of his friend’s attention and he was heartened that the Dragon was nearby. He held a respectful affinity with the species, having shared only constructive dealings thus far with the few he had met. An assured chirp broke the air, and as he settled himself after the mare’s stumble, he began to preen a thick oily dreadlock pulling her mane. Africa’s heart rate began to steady slowly, and Silas was relieved.

She stepped forward, though away too ever so subtly, from the stallion. Enough confidence was cushioning her anxiety now that she dared accept his offer. Quietly she slipped forward with Silas still perched atop her withers towards the Heart.


credits

Lace the Silverthorn Posts: 459
Deceased atk: 5 | def: 9 | dam: 5.5
Stallion :: Equine :: 15.3 hh :: 14 HP: 65 | Buff: NOVICE
Fajira :: Plain White Dragon :: Fire Breath Chan
#9

LACE</style>
Time Flies - Time Dies
Truth like a blazing Fire
</style>


Through the smoke and glowing sparks that rose from the fiery pit, a small creature glanced towards the ground where her bonded had been loitering. Of course she knew he was there, she could feel his presence like a whisper, a gentle touch against her mind. Even so it gave her comfort to actually see the shape of the larger animal, view his glimmering back and see how the silken mane and tail flew like banners in the breeze. He was big, he was strong, he could be dangerous if he set aside the softness of the heart that made him ache so for all the injured souls in the world - the very softness that hurt him in turn, because of the helplessness he felt over not being able to help. She felt it within him now, and with a curious warble the scaled bird lowered a wing, allowing herself to circle away from the warm updrafts over the Heart and over towards her other half. Immediately she spotted the pale dot in the darkness, recognizing the most perfect of colors upon her coat as well as the fact that they shared the same gender - it came natural to her to notice those things. They were vital after all, in determining how to approach the other - mares in general received more attention from Fajira, though she doubted that Lace had been observant enough to notice.

With a low trill emanating from the depth of the chest the dragon came gliding, curious blue eyes scrutinizing the little pegasus and her companion. Seeing the absence of a wing and the injuries upon the gray's body upset her deeply, she even went as far as to reaching out her mind towards the dove and her companion, attempting a mental embrace before she swooped down to land upon her bonded's back. Her mind was a foreign thing indeed. The mental capacity of her species was far greater than anything Lace could imagine, possibly rivaling even that of a god. Her soul felt vast, bright, warm without burning, and as soft as downy white clouds a bright spring morning. Yet there was a massive strength hidden behind the kindness, of steel and fire and timeless wisdom that had nothing to do with age or experience. It was a mind to sink into, disappear in, treasure... and long for, once it disappeared, a sensation beyond words. And all the while, vocals scattering melodic tones around the night - apparently trying to help Lace in his endeavor to calm the filly and her winged friend.

The grullo watched the dragoness antics quietly as he fell in beside Nell, respecting her need for distance as he accompanied her towards the warmer area close to the rim of the volcano. "I hope you don't mind her" he said quietly to the downed bird, attention turning back to her to ensure that the chatty dragon didn't frighten her. "Sometimes she stops considering the personal boundaries of others. Fajira is young still, especially for a dragon; maybe with time she might learn manners."

A small smile came to play over his lips, amused as the catlike lizard on his back paused in her serenade to nip him on the whithers, tail swishing testily back and forth over his rump.
"Lucky for you that I'm in a good mood, or I might eat your ear" she threatened, unusually enough in a manner that would allow the gray pegasus and Silas to listen in if they wanted to. The words were accompanied with an affectionate gruffness that took the edge off the threat, emphasized by surprisingly gentle front paws that had begun to comb the white mane between razor sharp claws, gently re-fastening a green amulet that hung from the hair in a chain.

Unwilling to pause and perhaps cause a stalemate in this game of wills, once reaching the close proximity of the open pit, Lace took to walking around it slowly, like he had done before spotting Nell.
Giving her a quick glance, a flick of the long tail invited her to follow his example; "I'm looking for a blue gemstone" he explained, eyes focused on the fire-lit ground that glittered and gleamed beneath a thin layer of fallen ash. "I work as a crafter you see, a Glazier, and I need to stock up on some materials. I'd be happy if you would like to help me out."


CREDITS: Schwartze | venomxbaby | 116802
BronzeHalo.deviantart.com
♦ Permission granted to use magic and violence on Lace and Fajira
♦ Only tag in new threads, spars and if it's urgent
The Store | The Warden


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