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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:22 pm
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A heavy sigh escaped the tired stallion's misshapen mouth as he meandered slowly through the thick boughs of his forest, wondering how he had gotten himself saddled with an errand like this. He liked Evie, of course- the bubbly happiness that she exuded was charming, if not a little exasperating at times- but sometimes she didn't know when to mind her own business, and he was dubious that this task had anything to do with being productive. She had been on a mission to keep him busy for the last several days since he had confessed he was a bit lonely; a fact that he regretted almost immediately. It didn't help that Akemi seemed to find excuses to stop by and poke fun at him for no reason other than she thought he needed it.
It wasn't as if he was unused to being alone, and the forest creatures and kodama had always been more than enough company in the past, but in recent months he'd found himself... restless, aimless, itching beneath his hide for something he didn't quite understand. At times he allowed himself to wonder where Teleri had found herself, if she had found peace with her flock... but that was neither here nor there, and hardly his business. Wythe had occasionally proved himself a suitable companion, but he wasn't generally a good conversationalist- although neither was Morrow, were he completely honest with himself. The small family of rabbits living in a burrow beneath his favorite tree seemed to enjoy the tenor of his voice when he soothed them, but that was hardly the same thing.
In any case... here he was. Collecting mushrooms. For a moment, he let himself wonder if Evie even knew that he was blind, but dismissed that idea out of hand- she couldn't have been that unobservant. His lack of eyes were usually the most offputting feature to other Soquili, he'd have been shocked if she hadn't noticed. Perhaps his forelocks had grown so long that they hid the worst of his features, but somehow he doubted that she could possibly miss the extent of his disfigured face- not that he really minded, of course. She was sometimes a breath of fresh air and a soothing balm to his jagged edges, even if she could get a little... overzealous at times. Much of the time.
Well, best get to his task- the longer he put it off, the longer it would take, and he didn't relish continuing this hunt for plants well into the night. While the darkness didn't bother him, a lack of sleep may prove trying.
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
6
Total: 6 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:38 pm
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The first idea of where to look came to mind mid-step, and Morrow paused to feel the wind and the plants brushing his legs for a moment before he redirected himself to start near his favorite tree. Perhaps the family of rabbits he was so fond of would have some idea where to start. His senses were acute and he felt comfortable relying on them most of the time, but for tasks like this where he couldn't simply feel his way towards his quarry, some outside help would most likely be appreciated.
Stepping through the tall grasses he had come to know as well as his own mane in search of his small clearing, the dark stallion allowed himself a small smile as the telltale rattle of a kodama heralded the appearance of one of his small friends. The skittering and small spray of dirt that accompanied their rush across the field to meet him made the edges of his mouth curl up further in affection, his features going soft, although he was aware that no outsiders were there to see. A soft scent came across on the breeze as the little forest spirit reached him, and he could sense little hands holding something up for his appraisal.
"Hello my little friend," he intoned softly, lowering his head to sightlessly inspect what was being offered, "what have you got there?"
Mushrooms: 0
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
5
Total: 5 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:58 pm
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The soft rattle he received in answer made Morrow chuckle softly as he lowered his head further to sniff at the little present the thoughtful kodama had brought to him- a mushroom, by the smell of it- but a snap of brush on the edge of the clearing made his ears p***k to attention. Before he could grasp what was happening, another creature darted across the grass and snatched the small gift from the kodama's tiny hands, taking off with it and disappearing into the foliage. Head risen in alert, the large stallion made little effort to pursue, not too worried since he didn't sense any danger, but the kodama's little wail of distress made his ears fold back in sympathy.
Lowering his muzzle, he nudged at the forest spirit with a soft croon, speaking in low, soothing tones. "There there, little one. It was a good gift, but we can find more. Whatever stole it probably needs it more anyway, yes?" The answering rattle might have been incomprehensible to most other Soquili, but Morrow smiled at what he understood as an agreement. "We don't want any residents of the forest going hungry, do we?" The question was rhetorical, of course- the kodama were just as dedicated to maintaining the balance of life in the forest as he was, if not moreso. The little creature straightened it's back in answer, bringing another affectionate smile to the giant stallion's maw.
"Let's go find some more, shall we?" he murmured, motioning with his head towards his favorite tree, the oldest in the forest, and no translated was needed for the louder rattle as his small companion nodded enthusiastically, skittering to walk at his hoof as he turned. He deliberately slowed his pace for the tiny creature in return, although he could sense that an offer to carry the little spirit would be rejected at the moment, with its determination to find more of the plant that he sought. The kodama were incredibly loyal, earnest creatures- at least to him- that usually sought him out for companionship when he made his rounds through the forest, but sometimes for help or protection when something threatened their home. He could tell this one was on a mission to be helpful this evening, although what in particular had spurred its focus was unclear; it was appreciated, whatever the reason.
After a few moments of patient, measured steps, Morrow scented the air as they neared his tree, testing for the smell of mushrooms as his little friend skittered forward.
Mushrooms: 0
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
5
Total: 5 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:10 pm
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The happy rattle of the little kodama and the fresh scent of mushrooms on the air told him that they had found their quarry, and another gentle smile stretched upon his maw as the forest spirit ran back to him with one in its little hands. "What a good find, little friend. Can you put it in the sack on my shoulder?" he motioned with his head towards the small burlap pouch that Evie had fashioned for him and draped haphazardly across his glowing tendrils. It was an odd little thing that he wondered where she had gotten, but it didn't smell of leather and animal skin as he had feared when she approached with it, so he had allowed her to do what she pleased. It made collecting things easier, anyway.
"All right, that's one down, and... nineteen to go?" he fought back a wince at the statement, but shrugged off the exasperation and nodded his thanks when the kodama skittered up his leg and deposited its find into the pouch. It stayed up there, much to his relief as he realized how much more searching was in store for them- slowing down his pace to accommodate tiny legs indefinitely would have certainly hindered their progress, but hopefully the extra pair of eyes would be of help.
"Where to next?" he intoned thoughtfully, more to himself than anything, but he nodded at the responding noise he got from thee forest spirit. "The river? All right, let's try there." Turning, he aimed himself at where he knew the desired place to be more out of memory than feel, although he enjoyed the familiarity of the scene around him just as much, even if he couldn't see it in the same way as others could.
Mushrooms: 1
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:17 pm
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Before they could venture far, Morrow jerked himself to a halt as a familiar scent drew his nose to a smaller patch of tall grass, smiling as he found his desired quarry within the strands. "Look there, little friend," he murmured with a gesture of his head, "can you get that mushroom for me?"
A soft, but enthusiastic clatter was his response as he felt the spirit slide carefully down his bent leg and carefully pluck the small plant from the dirt, skittering back up with remarkable speed and placing it carefully within their cloth pouch. "You're getting good at this, aren't you?" he intoned affectionately as he aimed a grateful look at where he could sense the small creature perched, and he could swear the little thing perked up proudly in return. Chucking, the tall stallion turned, resuming their trek towards where he could hear running water in the distance.
Mushrooms: 2
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:27 pm
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It didn't take long to arrive at the river, and Morrow was delighted to scent a patch of growing mushrooms along the shoreline where they stood, but it struck him that the scent seemed a little... off, somehow. He stopped a moment to wrinkle his nose, turning to give pause to his little friend, who had already slid down and was running happily towards where the scent was coming from. "Wait-"
The spirit didn't seem to heed his warning in its excitement, immediately scooping up as many as it could carry and running towards him in chattering happiness, but the large stallion could already sense the rotten smell making him faint, and once the overzealous creature touched one of the slimy things to his nose to show its prize to him, he felt his stomach turn and the feel of the world slipping away, however unwillingly.
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He wasn't sure exactly how much time passed after that, but he came back to awareness with the same kodama tugging at his mane in distress, joined by two others who had shown up and were assisting in efforts to wake him up with limited success. "Little friends?" he asked groggily, shifting to lift his head with considerable effort and shifting his tongue to get rid of the odd taste in his mouth. All at once, he remembered the pouch, and a nose at the bag's contents made him heave an exasperated sigh as he realized that their mushrooms were gone. "Well, time to start over, I suppose."
Mushrooms: 0
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
6
Total: 6 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:30 pm
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:33 pm
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:43 pm
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
6
Total: 6 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:52 pm
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:56 pm
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:01 pm
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:07 pm
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:12 pm
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Kyaishi rolled 1 6-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:15 pm
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