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 Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:25 pm
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In the days that followed the mass manufacturing of fur lined clothes and rugs, the hunting parties had been rounded up and assigned their tasks as well as the gatherers and still, Tuyet had not returned. Neria was growing worried for her friend, how far had he traveled in search of colder weather? Had they more time than they thought or was Tuyet in trouble? Neria furrowed her brows as she walked through the main gate and past the two-legger guards and their steads, taking a step in to the same place she would usually stand in contemplation and the same stance she took when she felt the chill on the wind the few days prior.
She looked back over her shoulder and there, behind the guards and through the gates she could see the hunters saddling up their four-hooved partners, dressed in saddle bags and newly sewn furred armor to fend off the cold and... Whatever they may find themselves hunting. She shivered, once more. The cold nipping at her flanks. She snorted at a particularly fierce gust of wind that pushed her from the firm placement of her hooves. It was decided, she could no longer stand idle in the camp when there was more to be done. She could be useful outside of the gates more than she was in them and while the worry of the events that took place at Eden could happen again when she was away continuously filled her thoughts with doubt, eventually she had to trust that they could handle themselves and manage in the time without her.
Turning from her position, she made her way through the gates and past the group of hunters and gatherers until she found herself face to face with Dylan. "Oh no..." He joked, knowing all to well this meant adventure. He placed his hand on the front of her face in acknowledgement and she walked him in to the stable where the armor and fur-lined blankets were hung. "So much for kicking it and having a few cold ones later." He breathed reaching out to grab the assorted items. He got to work piecing them on to her and when she was ready he wafted his hand to her to follow him. They made their own preparations and then joined with the party that had formed at the main gates.
They would travel with them for a time before breaking off and making their own way. They had to see for themselves what was waiting for them and most importantly, at least to her, they had to find Tuyet. Tuyet would not rest until she was found and she owed it to him to make the same effort. The owl had shown nothing but kindness and loyalty to her since the day they met and even after all this time and all that had happened not once had those traits faltered. She just hoped she wasn't too late.
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Tuyet had sailed across the skies, the grey and white cloud cover stretched on and on, as far as his eyes could see. He saw the barren branches of forest tree's rattling below and where their roots ended, the plain would follow leading on to to creeks and river beds and then to the foot of mountains and more tree's. The immediate area's were clear of snow and after a day or so travel there had only been the usual snow on the mountain top but as he reached the edge of the green, a white fluffy flake landed on his beak and then in a split second, a sea of snow followed and beyond the shower of snowfall and bitter chill that accompanied it was an endless tundra.
He descended from his place in the sky and glided back in the direction he had come from, landing on the naked branch of a frost touched giant. He shook off his wings and fluffed himself up in what appeared to be a series of shivers. He hooted in to the approaching night to warn whoever may be near of the approaching storm and then folded himself in to the closest hole in the tree bark for warmth and to rest.
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Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:19 pm
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Terentia had been traveling for days, with no real destination in mind. She searched and scoured the land with determination -- if there was a being in need, she would offer assistance and aid; if there was evil to smite, she wouldn't hesitate to do what was necessary to keep the lands free. Some might have called her evil, or like the very monsters she sought to purge from the land--but it didn't stop her, or cause her doubt. Evil was evil, and every soquili had a choice. Those who chose darkness and cruelty deserved what they were given. Besides which, Terentia did keep in mind outside factors...usually. A kalona still needed to eat and was not inherently evil or wicked for hunting game; but a kalona who feasted on other soquili, or tormented and maimed others for pleasure, was an entirely different story. Wlakers without charms were shown no mercy, and even those that wore it were often questioned, or at least, watched and observed with prejudice.
Perhaps her stern black and white view of the world wasn't right--but Terentia lived by her own code, and her own beliefs. She knew she was here to leave the world a better place than she found it--and if she was blinded by her cause, she was unaware. So it was, the mare let herself roam wherever the winds would take her.
Thick clouds were beginning to gather, and there was a cold, northern wind in the air. If she had been paying more attention to the weather, and not her neighboring surroundings, she might have considered the possibility of snow. But the nearby foliage and trees covered much of the sky, and Terentia wasn't afraid of a little snow. She was, of course, oblivious to the storm that was fast catching up to her... and instead, was keeping an eye on any trails that meant someone--anyone--might be near.
Word Count: 316
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:00 am
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They journeyed a short ways in to the surrounding woodland, far enough away that the hustle and bustle of daily life wasn't disturbing and driving away the native wildlife but not far enough that they would run in to any trouble if the weather turned bad and they would struggle to return to the safety of their home. Dylan spoke with the lead hunter until they had come to an agreement or a conclusion. Neria still didn't understand what they were saying, beyond a few simple words and phrases she had picked on from the repetitive use, and would one day find a soquili who had learned and researched this strange language that would be willing to teach her and anyone else who may be interested in understanding what their neighbors had to say.
Until that day came, they had to rely on gestures and body language to get their point across to one another. Dylan patted the side of Neria's neck and in understanding she slowed in to a trot. It wasn't a moment after they started away from the group that she could hear the whistle of arrows whizzing right by them. She grunted anxiously at the closeness of their aim and just hoped whatever they were shooting at, they didn't mistake them and their movements for the game they were hunting.
They continued on, breath becoming thicker and hotter, the colder air gradually becoming icier as they progressed. Neria scoured the treetops and would slow as they passed gaps in the tree trunks and any other visible nook and cranny to see if she could spy the familial owl and while there were other animals who were clearly wiser about the current situation snuggled and settled in hibernation in their den of choice, none of them were Tuyet.
"Tuuuyet!" She called out though kept her guard up and her eyes sharp as she did so knowing all too well it was risky move as any hungry predator looking for a quick meal may be lured by the shouting. "Tuyet! Are you out there!" She called again and when no hoot or screech sounded in reply, she frowned deeply.
Word Count: 361
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 2:50 pm
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Terentia's ears pricked and she paused in her trek. Something was amiss, but she wasn't quite sure what. Perhaps it was the cold air on the wind, and the falling temperatures; perhaps it was the quiet of the surrounding woods -- there were no birds singing, no rustling of animals searching out their burrows of stored food. There was a heaviness on the air, and Terentia strained to find out what it was that her had on edge...
She was just about to take another step when her ears finally gave way to truth. Someone out there was calling to someone. The voice was faint, and quite a distance away--but the longer she strained, the more the mare recognized it as a voice .... in need? Perhaps! Changing course, the dual-winged mare pushed on through the woods, following the sound of the voice. Sure enough, the closer she drew near, the more she could make out.
Tuyet.
She didn't recognize the name, but it was obvious someone out there was searching for someone or something. Well, perhaps this was why the spirits had lead her to these lands. A gentle snowfall had begun to fall, and while there were periodically gusts of wind, Terentia continued to disregard the growing inclement weather. Her focus was on, perhaps, helping to find whoever was out there and missing.
With every push through the snow covered lands, she drew closer to the voice. "Hello? Is there someone out there who needs aid?" She finally called out. She didn't want to spook the mystery mare away, after all. Besides which, there was something out this way that did have Terentia on guard; some scent that didn't quite seem like it belonged to a Soquili. It was then that she finally turned, and caught sight of a pale coat. And it wasn't just a pale coat... There were black wings tipped with blue and white feathers; there was a head covered in a black and crimson streaked mane; and there was a pair of large head wings sprouting behind the stranger's ears.
Terentia knew who that was, and stopped in her tracks, frozen.
The sight of a two-legger astride Neria caused Terentia some surprise; but it was seeing her sister not quite fifty feet away that had her speechless.
Words: 384
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Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:08 am
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Neria stood in the silence that followed, ears twitching gently to allow any indication that the owl was out there to reach her without disruption. When she was certain there really was no sign of Tuyet, she decided she would carry on the search. She was about to step forward when the first of the snowfall fell, a flake landing on the end of her nose. She looked at it both in awe and with concern. The approaching storm was already here and there was no time left to prepare any further than they already had. It also meant there was very little time to continue the search for her familiar and would have to at some point make the hard decision to turn back if the storm truly did become a danger to life.
Thankfully the distraction had lead her to be present long enough to hear the voice of another carried on the howling of the wind. At first, distant and then, it grew closer. Neria's head wings lifted in to an open spread, her ears now upright and direct in order to cup the sound. She stared in the direction the voice was coming from. The voice had an all too familiar ring to it. She knew that voice.
At first she wondered if she was hearing ghosts, the cold had finally got to her and she was starting to hallucinate but that wasn't the case. Her eyes grew wider as the reflection of Terentia filled them through the quickening haze of snow. She was shocked in to stillness. It couldn't be... Could it? Heartbeat pounding faster, for once in the longest of time, she had lost the ability to speak. She was afraid that if she spoke or moved from this spot the apparition of her dear sister would be lost and it had been so long since the memory of her looked this clear that she didn't want to risk it fading away.
"Tere... Is that... Really you?" She finally asked, the uncertainty evident in her voice as she spoke while taking a hesitant step toward her.
Word Counter: 352
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:48 pm
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Terentia couldn't believe it.
If she could have gone pale she would have, but instead, her ebony eyes widened as she stared at her sister. Though it had been some time since she'd seen her family, Terentia had always kept them near and dear to her heart. She traveled the Kawani in hopes of making them proud, of bettering the land, of making it safe, but such a burning need meant she spent time far and away from her family. The last time she saw Neria seemed far, far, too long ago.
The snow continued to fall, the large flakes twirling around the duo. The sound of Neria's voice did finally cause Terentia's headwings to flare a bit. She took a step forward, but stopped, suddenly unsure how she would be recieved--especially with a stranger so mounted upon her sisters back. "It's me, Neria," she assured quietly, "Spirits above, I can't believe it's really you!
Are you all right? Was that you searching for someone?" She didn't know who Tuyet was, but if that had been Neria's cry, then someone was seemingly lost or missing.
Much as she wanted to greet her sister, to catch up, to check in, to make up for all the time she spent away -- duty called. The snow was falling thickly, and only then did Terentia realize just how dark the woods was becoming; not because of a setting sun, but because of the clouds rolling in from the oncoming storm.
Words: 246
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 11:41 am
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Unlike Neria, Terentia and Alexander had found their passions in life early. While Tere had taken on the burden of bringing justice to their mortal plane, helping those in need and being a true Samaritan, Alex fled their home in search of adventure and to dive nose deep in to the various cultures scattered across the land. She believed he eventually found where he belonged and that was why they hadn't seen him since. Maybe one day he would brave a reunion, after all, time and distance could cause a stirring awkwardness or make fondness grow deeper in the ever growing nostalgia.
Tere however had at least come back to visit on occasion and knew when she wasn't with them that she still cared for them, only she was paving her own way in the world, doing something that could only truly make her happy. Neria had only recently found her own place in the world, one she wondered if she would have ever discovered if it wasn't for the attack.
After Evan had left Eden to join the wolf pack, her siblings scattered, she tried her best to be a fun role model for their younger brother and sisters but eventually she grew tired and aimless.
Tah and Jo eventually bestowed her with the duty of leading the herd and while Neria had no idea how to be a leader at that point, she understood why they did it. They had given her something to focus on, to work on, instead of allowing her mental state to deteriorate further.
Now, stood across from her sister, who had confirmed her existence, Neria couldn't contain the excitement and giddiness bubbling inside her. So much so that she had forgotten all about Dylan being sat on her back. She abruptly kicked off the ground with her back hooves, her armor feeling featherweight in that moment, and bounded over to where her sister stood, merrily closing the gap. She reached out her muzzle and nuzzled her happily.
"Tere! I can't believe it's really you! I'm so glad you're here" She gasped "It's been so long! There's so much to tell and so much to ask!" She exclaimed, her tail whipping behind her. She wanted to hear all about her travels and where life had taken her since the last time they saw each other.
"W-whoa!" Dylan cried, jerking back, he gripped the reins frantically and held on tight, almost falling off. He looked over at the mare they had approached and studied her features, seeing how they resembled the other four winged angel like creatures who had come to live with them in the settlement.
"Hello there." He chirped, giving a friendly wave. Not that he expected the other to understand him but he always made the effort.
Neria chuckled, her eyes sliding to the side to catch Dylan's wave and then they moved back on to Terentia as she gave a nod in reply. Suddenly her expression dissolved in to a serious tone regarding her question. "I am." She sighed gently. "I asked my familiar to fly ahead to try and gage how long we had to prepare before the storm hit only he hasn't returned and the storm is..." She looked up to the falling flakes. "Well, already here and Tuyet is no where to be seen."
Word Count: 556
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 9:57 pm
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Terentia hadn't realized she'd been half-holding her breath, but the tension that had been growing since she first stumbled upon Neria was washed away by her sisters joy. A smile spread across Terentia's face as her sister nozed and nuzzled at her. While she wasn't always the most affectionate of mares, she couldn't resist the pleasure of this surprising reunion. So it was, the ebony-eyed mare returned her sisters nuzzles in turn, and she would have well wrapped her in her wings had a rider not been seated upon her back.
"It is so good to see you, Ner," she confessed, drinking in the sight of her sister with nothing but love. It had been some time since she'd last visited, but her family was important to her.. No matter how far she roamed, no matter what mistakes she made, no matter what demons she fought (literally and figuratively), her family had always supported her, and she kept them near and dear to her heart. "I still can't believe it's you."
The two-legged being sitting on her sister did finally get a long look from Terentia. Her head wings flared slightly with interest, even as she reached out her head to test the air around the stranger. He certainly wore Neria's scent, along with others, unfamiliar to Terentia. But that was neither here nor there. That Neria trusted him was mostly enough for Terentia.
Turning back to regard Neria, she pawed at the ground and gave a small shake of her head. "Do you want me to help you look?" She offered without hesitation. "The weather might be turning, but I'll gladly support you." Glancing behind her, Terentia could see the darkening sky and thickening clouds of the approaching storm. Perhaps it had been auspicious she'd run into her sister. Whether or not they could find a Tuyet before the storm seemed less and less likely... but Terentia was determined to help her sister, however she could. "Whatever you need," she claimed. She had no place to go, no place she had to be. For now, at least for as long as her sister wanted her, she was ever at her beck and call.
Words: 364
Candle Wick Ghost Sorry for the tired words... lol. Had an almost 12 hour work day, blegh.
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2022 8:36 am
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Dylan peered through the slit of fabric between bundle of hat and snood to see the curious angel like being eyeing him intently. He watched her in her approach to check him out, taking in his scent. Instinctively he began to lift his palm and reach it out towards the flat of the beautiful mare's face and then paused in the motion, holding it an inch away as to allow her the choice of accepting his gesture or rejecting it. He hoped that the action wasn't enough to startle her away, seeing as she and Neria were so friendly. Had Terentia included him in the hypothetical giant wing cuddle, Dylan would have found it entirely amusing. He would have filled the camp with talks of the extraordinary cuddle from an extraordinary creature. A never ending grin slapped across his face with every word!
Neria accepted the return of affection from her sister, her eyes alight with relief and awe. As she observed Tere's curiosity about the rider on her back, she shook her head gently and watched the pairs interaction, her mane swaying loosely either side of her cheeks. "Terentia, meet Dylan." She snickered. "He is a bit of a goofball-" She started "But the kindest of souls. You can trust him." She nodded to reaffirm her statement, when they had more time to talk under less uncertain circumstances she would explain how the two of them came to be partners and fill the gaps of time lost between them.
At her sisters offer to help, Neria looked past Terentia and in to the distance behind her. The darkening forest casting deeper shadows, creating a terrifying abyss in it's lack of clarity. While she was concerned for Tuyet's safety and what unfortunate situation he may of found himself stranded in, when she turned her vision back on the image of her sister who was stood in front of her in the present, she found herself unable to fathom the idea of putting her in danger. She could not ask her to risk her life for the sake of another's and while Neria may have been selfish enough to risk her own, both Terentia and Dylan meant too much to her for her to ask such a thing of them. She shook her head, a weak smile warming her lips for Tere's sake and at the realization of the choice she must make."I fear if we tread onwrd any further we may find ourselves in a dangerous predicament, one we may not be able to fight our way out of." She turned as she spoke and nudged her head in the opposite direction. "Please, come with us to the settlement. You'll be safe there and we can ride out the storm together."
They could resume the search once the storm had cleared and when the conditions appeared more favorable. She had to trust in Tuyet's natural survival instinct and in his own capabilities too.
Uta Ouch. sad Sorry you had to work so long, sounds like it must have been a rough day. Thank you for tagging even though you were tired, I appreciate it! <3
Word Counter: 493
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2022 5:42 pm
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This Dylan was an indeed unusual surprise, but had his company or presence been unwanted, surely, Neria would have said as much. Her headwings gave a small, curious flap in surprise as he lifted his hand near her. Instinct almost had her draw back, but she wasn't a mare to startle or frighten easily. Ears pricked, she did move her head cautiously closer---if he wished to touch, she would allow it, being Neria's two-legged familiar. If her sister vouched for him, than that was all she needed to know--and he did seem to have a kind air about him. She did push her had tentatively against his hand--just in case he needed a little encouragement.
Terentia wasn't completely oblivious or unaware of the two-legged humans--but her travels had never taken her into a camp directly, nor had her encounters allowed her such a friendship as Neria discovered. Still, she figured she would be able to catch up on all of that soon... once they were all settled and out of the storm.
"It's good you have someone so kind with you--I look forward to hearing more how you met," she admitted with a grin. How things had changed over the years... And how grateful she was that the spirits had lead her towards Neria. Though her sister had not found what she sought, Terentia could only hope that Tuyet was well--and would do all in her power to help find the missing familiar once it was safe to do so. "I'm not usually one to flee from risk or danger, but I agree--the weather seems to be worsening, and there's naught else we can do." She did lean over and nuzzle Neria's neck reassuringly, hoping that her sister needn't fret. Blizzard's and inclement weather were just part of the Kawani life, and something all of nature learned to cope with. Surely, her familiar friend would know what to do.
Words: 319
Candle Wick Ghost And I believe that could be a wrap, unless you wanted to end it on your post/tag. <3.
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