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 Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:32 pm
 Elfriede stood motionless as her golden hair waved slightly in the breeze. The woods were darker in these parts, ample foliage blocking all but a few rays of light. It didn't help that the sun was beginning to set, either.
And while night-vision would get her home safely, she still preferred the light. Carrying a small branch that bore a single, glowing fruit, she surveyed her surroundings for a moment.
She longed to be home in her warm den, sleeping on her bed of mosses. But her hunt took longer than she thought, and all for two meager rabbits draped across her back.
Sighing, she opted for a mid-way snack, and knelt to let one of the rabbits slide off her shoulders. Every move was gentle. Even her biting showed respect for the life she had taken. And all was quiet and still for the moment, as she fed.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 7:02 pm
 The sun was starting to set and the once illuminated forest was now turning dark and despairing. The darkness didn't bother her though, it was almost calming to her. The way the black of night slowly started to engulf everything in a soft blanket of shadows. She had been fortunate enough to have found some mana fused berries earlier and was quite sated.
Her long feathers swayed behind her as she moved through the darkening woodlands and she closed her eyes as the wind blew gently, bringing to her the scents of creatures within the forest realm. Ears twisted slightly as she listened to the sounds the wind brought to her and she changed direction. There was someone else out here.
She had scented the other female as soon as the wind had shifted and she decided to head that way and check out who it might be. She was new to existing in the realm that they lived but much was known to her. Safe food to eat, her name and a decent vocabulary. The most important memory was to keep the crystal upon her forehead from harm. It was something that was ingrained in every fiber of her being, to keep it safe.
Long spiked legs carried her light frame through the thick underbrush, her dark antlers brushing against low hanging limbs as she moved forward. Her glowing gaze searched for the owner of the scent and finally she spotted the foliage Elykosi not to far ahead, gingerly eating a rabbit. Approaching slowly, prepared to fight if need be she watched her closely and came to a halt a few body lengths away. "Evening." She said softly.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 7:41 pm
Elfriede turned her head to face the other Elykosi. While she didn't notice her approaching until she spoke, she didn't exactly seem surprised by her presence either. Not even by the grand display of beautiful feathers. Elfriede's feathers were merely wings she wore, but this one seemed to sprout them from her very body. She waited to finish her bite, licking blood off her muzzle.
"Hello," she said, voice clear as rain, "Enjoying the evening?" she asked, not necessarily for small-talk. Rather, she actually wanted to know. She only hoped that the other wasn't a hungry beggar, hoping for a share in her meal. She believed she alone had earned these rabbits, as small as they are.
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:39 pm
She took a moment to assess the female as she licked the blood from her muzzle and greeted her. Her feathers shifted slightly as she continued to watch her and she gave a small nod of her head. "I am, it seems you are enjoying it as well." She said motioning to the rabbit the female was eating. She didn't want any of it, she just happened to be passing through and had scented her and wanted to check out the area. Nothing more than that really. "I do apologize if I have disturbed you, my name is Damia." She said introducing herself. She figured it was the least she could do since she had interrupted her meal.
She remained where she was still, the only thing moving was her feathers as the wind blew through them gently and her ears as they picked up minor sounds now and again. Her gaze was soft and held no animosity in them and her stance was relaxed as well. She wasn't here to fight or steal the others meal.
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:05 pm
"No need to apologize," she said, shaking her head with gentle movements. Her hair rippled before settling still again. "I am not easily disturbed" she mused, offering a kind smile.
"But where are my manners?" she added closing her eyes. "My name is Elfriede." she said, introducing herself in kind. She began to relax as well, and while her expression would never betray it, she was relieved the other Elykosi wanted nothing from her. But out of courtesy, her meal would be put on hold. She didn't mind it, even if the meat would be chilled in the approaching night air.
Listening to the rustle of leaves in the soft breeze, she smiled, her eyes still closed. "What brings you here?" she asked, curious again. "A midnight stroll? Or traveling elsewhere?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 1:56 pm
She was relieved to hear that she hadn't disturbed the other while she ate. Her feathers ruffled behind her slightly as she remained where she stood. She didn't want to crowd her at all. She gave a small nod of her head as the other introduced herself as Elfriede. "It's a pleasure to meet you Elfriede." She said softly as she sat down, figuring she might be here for a moment. Though, she didn't want to stay too long, it seemed odd to her to watch another eat. Even though Elfriede had put her eating on hold momentarily.
She took in a deep breath of the night air and she smiled as she asked what brought her out here. "A little bit of both actually." She said thinking about it for a moment. "I like to travel in the evening hours, it's more peaceful." She really didn't want to keep her from her meal for much longer, she felt as though it were almost rude in a way. "I do not want to keep you from your meal any longer than I already have." She said standing back up, preparing herself to leave.
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Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2016 6:18 pm
Elfriede watched silently, pleased at the other Elykosi's manners. She let the gentle rustling of leaves distract her for a moment, as she smiled inwardly.
"I agree, the evening can be peaceful," she said softly. There were few predatory creatures in this forest, but most of them were only active in the dead of night. So evening, when all manner of daylight critters were on their way to bed, was often the most peaceful time.
She cocked her head at the vixen, her ears flicking towards her abruptly. She let out a serene chuckle, almost uncharacter-like. "You are not keeping me from my meal, my dear. If I wanted to eat it, I'd be eating right now." She explained, giving her a genuine smile.
"Stay, or leave," she added, "In the end, it is up to you. But know this: I am not bothered either way. I enjoy your company so far, but I will not force you to be here." She shook her head at the end of her words, hair rippling like golden streams.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 9:56 am
She was actually relieved that she wasn't keeping her from her meal. She knew some wouldn't eat just out of courtesy, but it seemed to be that this female would have done so if she had wanted to. "I'm relieved to hear that. I am quite fond of your company as well." She said softly trying to remember the last time she had encountered one of their kind. Had it been so long that she truly didn't remember?
She took a seat once more since she wasn't in the hurry of leaving just yet and allowed herself this moment to relax and listen to everything that surrounded them. Each thing seemed to speak to you if one listened close enough. "Is your territory near here? I am just passing through and have no intentions of fighting anyone for land when I already possess a spot of my own." She said as her gaze fell back to the female. She wasn't much for confrontation though she didn't mind the occasional spar now and then. It's just that there was no need to fight for territory when there weren't too many of their kind living in the lands thus far.
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 9:30 am
Elfriede stretched her front paws out, shoulders twitching as she did. She looked onwards through the trees, before saying, "Somewhat. Though a bit out of the ways, I doubt you'd come across it by accident."
She gave Damia a quick once-over and, seemingly pleased, she offered the smallest of gentle smiles. "Fights don't always need to be born from malice, don't you agree? Why don't we have ourselves a friendly little duel. I'd like to see what you can do," she proposed, her voice dropping to a gentle hum at the end.
She stood at this point, golden waves of hair cascading down. She shook the second rabbit off her back, before letting her wing cape fall by the wayside as well. She then moved on a bit, before looking back at Damia, ready to lead her to a clearing if need be. Though every movement of hers was graceful and calm, she couldn't help but feel a little...excited. It had simply been ages since she last had a friendly spar with another.
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 12:34 pm
She was glad to hear that she wasn't imposing on her territory and her feathers fluffed up slightly as she allowed herself to relax. She gave a small nod of her head in agreement to her statement. Her words rang true and she rolled her shoulders as she stood up and shook herself. "Oh yes, I very much agree with that. I'd love to have a friendly match against you." She watched as Elfriede set her belongings down and lead the way to a spot where they could move comfortably.
She padded alongside her and felt herself grow more and more excited with each step. She was quite thrilled with the idea of a friendly spar with her and she moved herself to a location so that she was standing across from where Elfriede stood. "How would you like to decide who would go first?"
Valkymie Do we want to rephrase the battle into this? or just link it?
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 2:10 pm
Elfriede smiled and spoke, "Simple. It's up to whoever is fastest." She paused for a moment to let Damia ready herself, before they began their spar.
..............
Settling down in the clearing, she steadied her labored breaths. The battle didn't last very long, but she wasn't holding back, so it left her winded. Admittedly, she won mostly by luck, as Damia's attacks barely missed her. She thought herself a skilled huntress, but not some all-powerful Elykosi in the least.
Turning towards her sparring partner, she grinned uncharacteristically, "We should do this again. Tonight has proven to be an enjoyable evening. One I surely did not expect to have."
Her breathing calmed and she leaned back on the cold grass. She thought of her belongings and the rest of her supper, but cared not to fetch them just yet. There didn't seem to be a soul around anyways, so she need only worry about a mischievous critter stealing them away. They wouldn't get far, however.
But still, she closed her eyes and simply listened for a moment, continuing to relax after their exertion.
AstoriaFallen Let's just link it so we know when it happened timeline-wise :> Battle11/15
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 2:36 pm
At her words she gave a small smile and then it began.
..............
While Damia had been quick, all of her attacks had just missed her and Elfriede had come out on top in the end. By no means was Damia upset about the loss, it had been a friendly spar after all and there really wasn't anything at stake. It had been a friendly show of force and nothing more. She stood nearby Elfriede, her front legs spaced apart and her head dipped low as she slowed her breathing into deep breaths. Her feathers hung at her sides in her exhaustion and slowly began to perk up as she began to gain energy.
At her words Damia lifted her golden gaze to look at the pale female and she gave a smile. "I agree, I would enjoy sparring with you again sometime." She finally took a seat and then extended her front legs forward so that she was laying upon the cool, green blades. Her large ears twisted slightly as the two of them sat there in silence and she didn't make a sound. It wasn't an awkward kind of silence either, it was peaceful and full of energy in the fading sunlight.
After a few moments she looked over at Elfriede. "How would I go about finding you in the future?" She asked, her voice soft and light.
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 2:48 pm
"You remember the fruit I carry?" she asked softly. "There's a grove of trees that bear these fruit, not far from here. My den is there. Though..." she paused as if remembering. "I'm not usually there during the day. I tend to hunt or patrol my territory while it's light out. Sometimes I just enjoy a walk in the dappled sunlight. But I'm usually in that area.
I'm sure it won't be too difficult to find me if you find the trees with the small, glowing fruit."
She lifted her head to look at Damia, before asking, "What about you? Should I have an itch for another spar. How will I find you?" Her voice clear as a drop of water. The light of the sun was soon faded, as the stars and moon begfan to light the night.
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 3:04 pm
She gave a small nod of her head, "Yes." Her response seemed to float in the air as she answered her and then continued to listen as she described where she lived. She was sure she may have passed by there once before without really realizing it and she made a mental note that she lived near that particular grove. She didn't do too much traveling in the day, just usually early mornings and late evenings. She tended to nap around noon.
She gave a small chuckle at her question and she took a moment to orientate herself to their surroundings. "If you travel north of here you'll hit a stream that forks in two if you follow the stream to the left you'll come to a very large tree with roots that pop out of the ground in a few places. My den is there, hidden behind some of the bushes beneath it." She hoped that they would meet again soon, it was quite a pleasant encounter.
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 3:21 pm
Elfriede rarely ventured north, so she didn't recognize the location Damia described, but she etched the image into her mind for her to seek it out later. Going north would be an adventure all its own, but now she had an acquaintance to visit, or show her around.
Feeling rested enough, she stood, shaking the bits of grass and leaves that had stuck to her side. She looked to the sky, darkening still, and then back to Damia.
"It's getting late." she stated, turning to lead them back to their original meeting spot. "I still have a short ways to go, so I must leave now." Hoisting her feather cape onto her shoulders, then tossing the rabbits over her back, she turned towards her new friend.
"We will meet again," she said softly. "I'm sure of it" With a gentle smile, she held Damia's gaze for a moment, before picking up her lantern fruit and sauntering away.
FIN
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