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 Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 6:26 pm
It would allow the mare the chance to recuperate after her long aberrant flight from what remained of the Blood Moon Carnival. Her gaze shot towards the sky as she grimaced as a large raindrop splashed against her flank. Shaking her head Psyche lowered her gaze to the path she was traveling on and did her best to ignore the moisture that began to fall all around her. Her mind was focused on the tasks at hand: seek sanctuary and then continue looking for Relic.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:35 am
Vincent's breath clouded the air and steam curled from his body in wispy tendrils as he trotted brusquely down the well worn trail. The nights had grown longer, something that suited his mostly nocturnal family, but they had also grown colder. And cold nights in the mountains were no laughing matter. They had done what they could to hold the warmth in the maze of caves that riddled the cliffs rising around the herd lands. Those in the outermost areas had moved into deeper dwellings for the season. Fires were strategically placed and monitored to lend warmth to the cold stone but the smoke was dangerous if not vented correctly and many of his progeny had a sensitivity to light that made the bright cheery warmth of the fires somewhat of a nuisance. Jessamine was point blank refusing to go any where near the flames and Jezabelle had taken to wearing her blindfold about the caves regularly. Her bat familiar, Chime's, chirping calls and the echoing flutter of her wings as she led her mistress about the caverns had become common.
Vincent needed to find some other solution, the glow rocks they had used throughout the warmer months gave sufficient light for the sharp eyed family but no warmth to speak of. Moving the extended families in together into larger caves would generate more body heat and could act as a temporary solution but it was never a good idea to crowd a predator. There would be accidents if he forced them together for too long. Perhaps he could approach the Harvest herd on the opposite side of their shared mountain about what they did during the cold months, his old home had been in the mountains but the caves were so deep the cold couldn't reach them. They had had blankets and generations of elders who had applied their knowledge to weatherproof and warm the caves. He hated having to waste time and energy mulling over such a mundane problem, perhaps Eva and Belle could put their heads together to give him a solution. He would approach them about it when he returned.
The leaves above him rustled with wind and a wet drop splattered on his nose, sending an icy chill thrilling down his spine. He grimaced, just his luck. He was much too far from shelter to escape this storm without a soaking anyways so he might as well finish a last sweep through this patch of forest before heading home. A flash of lightning overhead illuminated the area before a loud crack of thunder sent a jolt through his bones. He squinted against the sudden light and then narrowed his eyes as he sniffed, for the lightning had revealed a pale figure moving through the trees just out of range of his senses. It was too far away still to make out much detail but he knew it was not one of his own. Not wanting to warn the intruder of his presence he did not draw his steel, his sharp tail and teeth and hooves would be enough if it came to a battle. His lithe body wound through the trees towards the figure, abandoning the path he stepped over roots and rocks to avoid crunching the fallen leaves and twigs that littered the forest floor. Fall He thought with disgust, much as he enjoyed it when the leaves changed from rich green to deepest crimson and gold, when they fell to the ground they made stealth nearly impossible. Perhaps he would use that to his own advantage, he could set the children and familiars to making strategically placed noise traps.
He stopped a few paces from the intruder, whom he could now see was female. There was something slightly familiar about her that motivated him to give up his element of surprise rather than launching immediately into a devastating attack.
"Lost?" He purred, his silken voice thick with malevolence. His eyes were twin orbs of glowing crimson from his hiding place within the shadows. Beads of water ran down his face and sides, he bared his teeth in a smile that did not quite reach his eyes as he sized up this potential enemy.Kettyn Sorry about the long post, wanted to get enough for stats and he ran away with my imagination x'D
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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 1:06 am
It was the weather that was her downfall. Psyche had braced herself against the rain that continued to pelt her body unabated. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled and all in all Psyche's mind was a mass of tumultuous chaos like the skies above. Why on earth was she even out in a storm? Parts of her mane drooped into her eye and stuck to the bandages that she wore on her face. Perhaps it was that or maybe it was something else but when the voice permeated the area around her Psyche froze, unsure of just who was out in the storm with her. As lightning flashed above Psyche could just pick out the outline of a much larger form hidden in the bushes. Red orbs, that were filled with some unidentified emotion stared back at her and the mare forced herself not to flee on instinct. The fact that whomever this was chose to speak to her first before attacking said something, didn't it? The voice did have an edge of malevolence to it that set her to grinding her teeth in frustration. Knowing that it would be unwise to initiate any conflict with the unknown male Psyche did the only thing she could think of in this situation. It was always better to submit when one did not know the power of their opponent and that is what Psyche did.
Freeing the tiny blade she had stolen from the carnival from the band on her foreleg Psyche grasped the weapon for a moment before placing it onto the ground. She was pretty sure that appearing armed on a stranger's land could be seen as an act of aggression and Psyche wished to avoid that for now.
"Perhaps I am lost."
What she had wanted to say froze on her lips instead she sighed, "I don't suppose that you could perhaps show yourself instead of making me strain my vision to see you. I can assure you that I do not mean any harm to come to you or whomever you share this land with."
As she waited to see if her suggestion would be acknowledged Psyche nosed at her blade before attempting to straighten the shawl on her back. It at least was keeping some of the wet off of her body. Her ears twitched back and forth as thunder rumbled overhead once more. She was tense but anyone in her position would be or there was something really wrong with them. Was this the so called leader she was looking for? If it was would he even concede to offer her aid? Standing still as a statue Psyche waited with baited breath. It was all she really could do in this moment.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 10:21 am
Vincent's nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. Trepidation, confusion, hope scented the air. His eyes were sharp as he watched her go for her weapon, his muscles tensed as he prepared himself to pounce on this intruder with deadly force, but something about her slow, deliberate movements made him quirk his brow, no self respecting fighter would be that obvious about going for their blade. He let her reach it and watched, emotionless, as she tossed it to the ground between them.
"Its... Unsafe to travel the woods here. We allow travelers through the pass on our lands" he rumbled, "We keep an eye on them, if they don't bother us, they may travel through the mountains. You've wandered off the main trail into an area that is private." He hissed on the last word. Just yesterday, Queen had been out here walking this patch of forest on her own, heavy with his foals. He did not want strangers so near his unborn children.
He was still confused about what stood between himself and the regal mare who had been ousted from her kingdom. She had rejected his advances at every turn, yet when he invited her home and offered protection, she had accepted the offer. She had indulged willingly enough in the night of passion that had resulted in her pregnancy, but now she was distant and cool towards him. Admittedly, that part he had some ideas about. When she had wanted to leave the safety of the herd lands for a short day trip, he had practically tore the mountain down in his rage at her putting their children at risk. Not even Coquette could handle every threat, and after what had happened to his family in the past.... Well, he was not going to allow that to happen again. Queen would stay in the herd lands until she gave birth, surrounded by trained warriors who had the skills to protect her. She planned to take the children home with her when she reclaimed her throne, and Vincento had agreed on the condition that he be allowed to train them to defend themselves properly. She had hissed at that, but eventually deferred to his judgement in the matter when he pointed out that she may have held her throne had she been able to bash a few heads together properly. He would be damned if he let her take his children away, but it would be imprudent to admit that unless it proved necessary to take a stand. She was a stubborn, fiery lass, and denying her anything only seemed to provoke her into wanting it more.
Stepping forward onto the beaten game trail, his sinuous tail whisked forward and plucked the blade from the ground and tossed it out of reach. Better safe than sorry, although, by now, he was convinced this female did not intend to attack him. "Who are you? Why are you here?" His eyes slid over her, troubled by the familiarity he felt, for he was sure he had never laid eyes on the female in his life. He sniffed again, leaning closer, casually invading her personal space as he sought to satisfy his curiosity.
His brow drew low and he growled. "And why do you smell like Relic?" His gaze was cold, as was the temper that emanated from him. Jessamine was damaged, she did not need to smell her mate on another female. She was a sweet natured mare at her core, not normally a jealous creature, but if the blood lust was riding her close to the surface, this mare could provoke her into an attack that would put all of them in danger.
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 12:28 am
Psyche did her best to keep her eye on the stallion as he began to speak. The fact that she had relinquished the only weapon on her body hopefully led weight to her story that she wished no harm on the inhabitants of whose land she now apparently trespassed on. It was clear from the stallion's response that she had come into the right place. The one hitch now was that she had apparently stumbled onto land that the herd labeled as private. It definitely had not been her intention to do this. Hearing the hissed emphasis on private Psyche tensed. Was this it then, would she die here seemingly falling short of her goal?
As the stallion stepped onto the trail proper Psyche could not help but watch as his tail snaked around her only weapon and tossed it out of reach. Perhaps it was for the better that he had done so although now it was hard not to show a mild flash of anger. If there was a chance she would still be alive after this encounter maybe she would be allowed to retrieve it and once again be on her way.
What Psyche did not expect was the sudden barrage of questions aimed at her. The mare sidled side to side before settling. Her expression was one of consternation before the feeling fled. The best approach was honesty in this case. She had erred obviously and was paying the price. "You ask two things of me. The first is easy enough to answer. My name is Psyche. I do not believe I am a threat to you and yours but I came to this area to hopefully find answers. I am sorry that I committed a wrong by venturing onto your private land without due permission."
Assuming that was enough said in reply Psyche watched the stranger before hesitating as he sniffed the air. It was then that something unexpected happened. Psyche could not hide the flinch as the stallion stepped into her personal space and growled. Her ears flicked back at the sound before she caught the last question that was posed of her. Almost comically she found herself taking a step backwards before her expression morphed into one of surprise. "Relic? Does that mean he is here?"
Psyche knew that the stallion's last question of her still required and answer and as she lowered her gaze to the ground she inhaled deeply. She was putting herself in a position where this stallion could efficiently and quickly end her life if he wanted but the mare spoke softly, undeterred, "The reason that I smell like Relic is probably because I knew him from long ago. I have been searching for him. I think it is crazy to admit this but I believe the stars guided me to this place. You see ... Relic is my brother."
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 6:42 pm
His tail curled and uncurled, its deadly spade glistening in the rain.
"Psyche." He repeated shortly, stepping back, his muscles rippled under his smooth coat as he considered her words. His eyes narrowed as he considered the implications, he did not know much of Relic's past, he respected the other stallion. He was loathe to take any risks with Queen, was unsure of his ability to control his reaction if Psyche went anywhere near her, but he would not risk spilling Relic's sister's blood...
If her story was true, she could prove to be an asset and an ally to his herd, and Relic had done too much for his daughter to repay him in such a way. Honor demanded that he bring Psyche to Relic for final judgement.
"It is as you say. I cannot say if it was stars, luck, or something else entirely, but your brother is here."
He gauged her reaction for a moment before turning back towards the caves.
"Come with me."
He strode away briskly, his chin tilted up regally as he guided her back up the slope, as he passed, he plucked the small blade up again and brought it with him. What a puny excuse for a weapon, the blade wasn't long enough to give her any reach and she didn't long strong enough to handle a larger opponent at close range. Perhaps she was quick on her feet, but still... He ought to leave the thing out here to rust away until nothing was left but he wasn't about to let her pick it up again while his back was turned. He supposed it could cause some damage if she managed to fling it at him.
"There are a few rules. Everyone you will see when we arrive is under my protection. Harm them and your life is forfeit, regardless of who your brother is. My.... mate... is there." He winced a bit at the wording, he wasn't about to explain the complex relationship to this snip of a mare, but it was important she understand what was at stake.
"She is with foal, and I don't trust you. You will stay away from her, or your life is forfeit."
The rain lessened as they climbed, and then stopped entirely, replaced by a light snowfall. The air began to bite as they continued up the summit, before long they entered a denser patch of forest, the trees were older and taller. Their interwoven branches formed a roof overhead to shield them from the worst of the elements. A rustle greeted their arrival and a small brown rabbit poked her head out of the brush to stair at them, nose twitching, before racing off. Lucy, good. Coquette would be aware of their arrival and take steps to ensure the vulnerable were tucked safely away.
"There is the matter of my daughter... Jessamine..."
His voice was calm but a vein pulsed in his temple, Jess was less dangerous without her cleaver, but her temper was more volatile. She had remained reasonably stable since Colette's arrival and he could only hope that they wouldn't run into her until he had a chance to verify Psyche's identity and then explain the situation to her if necessary. He knew what he would do if he smelled his mate on a strange male, and Jessamine was his daughter. His heart panged. Jacqueline. He missed her dark beauty, her manipulative wickedness, she was his true mate. But she was gone, and his heart had gone with her. Now he may indulge in passion, sate his desire for comfort and companionship, but he would never love another.
"... Your brother's mate."
He paused, pondering how to phrase the next bit.
"It would be... wise for you to not meet her until we've had time to hear your story and tell her about you, first. She is... Delicate, you might say. We don't like to upset Jessamine. So once we've found Relic, you will stay where I leave the two of you until we've dealt with her, understand?"
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