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 Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:42 pm
2.8
The pain came swiftly and with a shriek Azumoth found himself pressed to the ground with even greater force than before. His outburst had not been appreciated and the core of his very being, the orb in his chest, reverberated angrily and punished him for his error. This of course was greeted with a great amount of satisfaction from the stallion before him, any excuse to get a rise out of another...any excuse to provoke them and make them sweat.
"You will not touch her," Azumoth snarled more quietly.
"Ah, so it is this deep hm?" The stallion appeared amused as he returned to his pacing, flexing his wings every now and again as he returned to his own thoughts. The orb around his neck seemed to do everything for him, it responded according to his desires. Even without an acknowledgment or flinch from the being that held it, it dealt with a dispute from a subordinate quickly and efficiently.
"I do not approve of having such firm, emotional ties to such creatures - they all give the same thing you know." He smiled wistfully, recalling his own little treasure trove. His 'treasures' changed daily, those that refused him found their lives at an abrupt end while those who submitted found a comfortable life but not necessarily the most enjoyable. Nevertheless, he did not have just 'one', he rather enjoyed the concept of having many. Thus, the concept that his own son seemed to attached to one little whelp was rather disappointing.
Really that mare had been a horrendous mother.
"But, if you want her that much then she can be yours," he turned round once again to face his son and arched a brow. "I will not dispute your claim to the little darling provided you do something for me first."
"And that would be what, exactly?" He had never enjoyed making deals with the devil. He loathed agreements, bonds or anything that forced him to lose what little control he had and yet here he was... The one thing he had strove for years to avoid had occurred, he had fallen for another and his worst nightmares were unfolding. It was a moment where he simply had no choice.
"These lands you live in are completely new to me, they seem to contain many treasures," his father began calmly, flicking his tail against his flank as he pictured all those little images he had received from the delicate link that existed between the jewel on his neck and the orb that remained lodged in his son's chest. "All shapes and sizes, all species..."
"I want it."
It was a simple phrase and would have seemed completely harmless had it not been for the wistful smile upon his father's lips. His father's eyes seemed to glow more fiercely at the very thought and thus... Azumoth knew that when he said he wanted it, it wasn't just a tiny piece.
"And this involves me how?"
"You are a weapon, the spirits made certain of this," his father was referring to the numerous 'war' weapons that adorned his son. Even his wings had been constructed to act as weapons as opposed to mimicking his father's. "I may want the treasures within this land, but I most certainly do not wish for the broken stones to remain."
"No."
"You say no?"
"I will not harm anyone."
"You really don't have a choice," his father whispered softly into his ear. "You can do this willingly and have your mare, or you will simply do as you are told and I will take her...perhaps she will give me a more suitable son."
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:46 pm
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 6:03 pm
The young mother trotted quietly down the path of the river. Spring was in full bloom and the heat of the afternoon threatened the world with the promise of summer. Very soon the cool breezes would cease and the land would dry up and sizzle with scorching days and warm nights. Already, winter's long grip was all but forgotten, and the ice blue femme was glad of it. . .
There was too much ice in the world.
Despite the aroma of flowers, despite the serenade of the trickling creek she trotted beside, Eponine walked slowly. Her head wasn't in the clouds despite her deep concentration; no, this young, shy mother was in a bit of a darker mood. She thought of her family, of Twilight and Cosette. She wondered where her daughter, Cassiel, had wandered off from and if she might not ever see her again. She wondered if Ezriel was happy with his chosen mare, if he had found the comfort he needed within her touch. Most importantly, she wondered about Rue, the son she knew nothing of. . . She remembered red hair, she remembered white like Ezriel and black splotches. But such memories were vague, distant. . . .
Did it make her a bad mother to forget about a son? She had wanted to be a part of his life but Ezriel had snatched him away . . . had left them both in his pursuit of happiness. Little did he think about hers or Cassiels. Nostrails flaring, blue eyes sharp, the mare cast aside such thoughts. He wasn't important at this point, though she still did care. . . She could only hope her children were well. Her babies. . . .
A shame she couldn't have started over. Maybe then, if she understood now what she wished she knew then, everything would have turned out all right.
Pausing, meandering a few steps in to the creek, the young mare dipped her head and drank. The water was cool. . . refreshing. . . but it did little to wash away the remorse upon her soul.
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Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 12:10 pm
You have no choice...
He'd never permitted another to have such a hold over his life for this very reason. He'd never enjoyed the company of others for fear that something this utterly ridiculous could occur. And yet, as he thrust his way through the undergrowth his mind struggled to comprehend exactly what had occurred within the last few days - he had gone from being his own being to the simple beast in the servitude of a master.
But what had caused the transformation?
Ah but of course it was the bane of his existence, years of practice and cruelty towards them had done little to prevent what had ultimately happened. It had been a beautiful mare, a female that had tugged him into this pitiful existence. It was amusing in some sadistic way that he had even permitted it to happen...the one chance he opened up, even remotely and that vulnerability had been exploited to the point that what little freedom he had was now gone.
Really, it was a sickening state of affairs.
What made it worse was that he simply didn't fight it. Had it been any other mare he would have dismissed the threat and fought back in the manner he was renowned for. He would have been brutal, he would have been quick and his father would have been on his knees but when it came to Bella...He came to a halt and released a sigh, his jaw tightening considerably. She was different, there was no other way he could put it and the very thought of his own father taking her caused more pain to him than the unrelenting pulsing within his chest.
Ah yes, even his thoughts were no longer private as the symbiotic link between the ethereal orbs bonded both the monster and he together. The fates clearly hadn't favoured him this day if they had chosen to make him face a side of him he utterly loathed...however his father was right, he simply had no choice.
He allowed his amber eyes to shift across the forest, the horizon ahead partially shrouded by shadow and shrub. He couldn't allow her to get hurt again, she had been through far more than she deserved and he had already been the cause of some of that pain. At least if he abided by the demands made by his father...then she would not be touched by him.
Unfortunately, where Azumoth now wandered his father was not far behind. Soaring high above his head, his father watched over his 'dutiful' son to ensure that the bargain he had made remained secure. It was therefore impossible for Azumoth to remain still for long and with a sharp jolt from his chest he thrust his legs forward and breached the forest's edge. There, on the small slope he was met by his father who landed with a soft thump against the grass.
"Quiet journeys are always the most pleasant, do you not think so?" His father smiled wistfully as he observed what he had already crowned as 'his'. The Kawani lands, a glorious possession but one that needed to be purged of all he deemed unworthy to reside in it. However, this did not mean that those who survived would be considered worthy - it would simply mean they became another of his possessions.
...At most they could consider themselves beautiful.
"No." Azumoth replied coolly, flinching briefly as his father arched a brow and flicked his gaze towards the orb in his chest. It was ever so easy for his father to manipulate his 'heart', and for the life of him Azumoth couldn't understand how. "Why have we stopped?"
Really, he already knew the answer.
And he dreaded it.
"I must begin my purge but you are in luck, the cleansing will be gentle this morning..." His father practically purred as he turned his gaze in the direction of the river where a lone mare resided. Completely oblivious to their apparent existence she sipped at the cool water.
"You consider the death of a mare -"
"Whoever said I wanted to kill her?" His father chuckled and shook his head, "No boy, I want you to tame her."
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Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:11 pm
Eponine was oblivious to the predicament she was about to find herself in. It was ironic how the spirits seemed to curse her with poor luck; the dreamer who had believed to live a life as a princess now found herself a single mother with children who loathed her, and a mighty depression that hung over her head like a cloud. Unlike her daughter, it wasn't an obvious sort of depression, but life hadn't been kind to the ice coloured mare. And with Kiyoshi and Azumoth lingering nearby, it seemed as if the spirits were prepared to remind Eponine of her place. . . .
The first time she had left the protection of her family's grove and she was nearing a most unfortunate situation. As if the mare hadn't learned her lesson before after the events with Ezriel~!
Finishing her drink, the mare paused to study her reflection stained across the rippling water. She was pretty, though there were shadows in her gaze that seemed to take up a most permanant residence; on top of that, she looked old, tired and in her heart sitll found herself depressed. It wasn't the same - the young mare hadn't been so prepared to grow up so fast and such a regret haunted her every breath.
Like mother like daughter, though Cassiel's hurt was a million times more apparent. Heaving a small sight, Eponine very well might have continued her drink within the cool water had a sign of silence alerted her. The birds had fallen quiet and an eerie sort of hush suddenly captured her attention. Ears pricking, Eponine lifted her head as she inhaled deeply, hoping to pick up a scent of someone or something. . . .
The wind wasn't working in her favor, unfortunately, and an uneasy feeling began to settle over her bones. A premonition, in a sense, that perhaps it would do her well to continue on her way. Retreating out of the water, the mare gave her body a small shake and continued on her way. If she walked a bit quicker, if she seemed a bit more on edge it was all with good reason. She was quite a good ways from home and the woods didn't seem nearly as friendly as it had before.
Eponine had overstayed her welcome.
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 1:43 pm
Kalona and mutant alike had the rare ability to be either silent or loud predators. Some flew across the skies without the slightest whispers while others ensured their leathery wings were heard. It was a question of which type of mind game you preferred most - there were Kalona and mutant who simply desired their meal and thus they remained silent...but there were others who reveled in torture and games and so, they opted for the haunting beat of bat-like wings.
Unfortunately, Azumoth was inclined towards neither form of hunting given he was strictly vegetarian, but his large wing span did permit him to glide seamlessly across the skies towards his 'prey'. Regardless of his lack of willing co-operation there were certain things he had to do to ensure that nothing bad happened - you see the thing was...Azumoth would never forgive himself if something happened to his little mare. This wasn't to say he would forgive himself for his horrid behaviour to his victims either, but it would be ever so slightly easier to live with...
He landed after a few moments and while a part of him sincerely hoped the spirits would come to the aid of the petite mare, he doubted he would be graced with such luck. They loved it, they loved to embrace every opportunity to thrust him into a situation that would lead to his complete and eternal torment. It was no wonder he had yet to figure out why Sparkles, the peculiar pink unicorn had ever chosen to follow and excuse their actions so willingly.
She declared it was faith.
He preferred to think of it as stupidity.
Nevertheless, he folded his wings snugly against his sides and with a slight creak of his neck he drifted further into the shroud of the forest to trail after the mare who had chosen to trace the line of the river. He would give her kudos, she had followed the signs well and had moved swiftly - more to the point she had opted to stay in the open.
A little blood will not blemish her, do what is necessary...
Ah yes, the voice of his father and the ever present shadow looming over his shoulder. His father had promise to wait until he was called, had declared he 'trusted' his son but a rather large portion of this particular mutant didn't agree with that.
Alas, time was of the essence and he quickened his stride as he caught the scent of the mare on a very weak breeze. Furrowing his brow he lowered his head ever so slightly to avoid any low lying branches and continued along the trail until at last her grey tail could be seen just ahead of him - now it was make or break.
Would she run?
Oh by the spirits he hoped she would!
Or would she freeze, fight, plead?
If he were to choose any of the three options he would have sooner she fought back and knocked his bloody head off, unfortunately he wasn't entirely certain of how to stage such a display to make it look genuine...especially to his father.
"Keep moving mare, keep moving...find your friends," he murmured uncomfortably.
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 12:09 am
Eponine could feel the electricity in the air, the spark of something that happened to be off. . . different. Her pale blue gaze shifted around the woods surrounding her, and she debated staying close to the river in hopes of bumping in to another soquili or dipping in to the unfamiliar underbrush.
Both held advantages, both held problems. . . . If she ducked in to the woods she very well might get turned around in the unfamiliar landscape. If she stayed close to the waters edge she might indeed be in even more danger unable to hide. . . .
Oh, where was Twilight now when she needed him? Or her brother, Zevach, to come to her aid? Step by step, picking up her pace, the mare continued to strain her ears in hopes of finding the source of her fears. Something was out there. . . someone. . . something and the ice blue mare honestly didn't want to find out who or what it was. Her pale tail flicked back and forth in her anxiety and at the last minute the young female fled. . . her swift pace through the water suddenly changed in to a flee. Jerking to the right, she swung in to the underbrush, heading east and out to where she knew the open grasslands would wait.
The woods she had walked had been deeper than she'd gone before, so any familiarity was scarce. Exactly how long and how far she'd traversed, again, Eponine couldn't say; she'd daydreamed and reminisced over the pain of her past and her future and had taken in to account very little of her surroundings. But home was somewhere that way. . . . zigzagging, dodging through, Eponine didn't dare look behind her in case whatever was out there was giving chase.
Twilight. . . Zevach. . . . Hell, if she could just find someone, anyone! Alone she stood a greater chance of injury, of pain, of death; but even the addition of one more might draw the night away. The only problem was there was no such companionship lingering near. . . . And for once in her life, Eponine could only hope and pray that she was spooking over nothing like she'd done time and time before in her youth.
It was her mind playing tricks on her, wasn't it? It had to be . . . . She feared the alternative answer.
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 8:24 am
Oh she hadn't...
Yes, she had...
Every fibre in his body desired to scream and shout obscenities at her choice and yet he was compelled to do his 'duty'. No doubt his father reveled in the perverted, emotional turmoil that his son now endured. Bracing himself the stallion could do nothing more than pursue the female who had at last allowed the pressure of such ominous signs get to her - she was running away.
Unfortunately, the kalona-like blood within him stirred and while he was less than inclined towards its desires, the thrill of the chase...of any chase had always appealed to him. As a child he had loved to race and creature that challenged him, had adored any challenge and it was all through this competitive and almost predatory set of instincts. Therefore it was no surprise that he found such things easy but this wasn't really a skill he wanted to have at this particular moment in time.
...You see, the faster she moved the more swiftly he pursued her.
A little blood wouldn't hurt but he knew himself that he had little restraint if blood was drawn. Perhaps this was something his father desired, warm his blood considerably, sent him into a rage and he would be of more use? Azumoth was really quite unaware of just how deeply his father could see into the depths of his soul. Could he see all his vulnerabilities?
"It is advisable to stop running," he at last permitted the words to escape from the depths of his throat and with that he drew alongside the mare. He still maintained an ample distance but his flickering shadow between the trees would be enough to make her aware of his existence. "It will make it easier for you and I if you do..."
He wasn't sure if such advice would be taken, it was rare that any fleeing creature ever listened to the logic of a pursuer but it was truly worth a shot. At least this way, he could excuse himself ever so slightly if he could support the fact that he had tried to simplify the solution and to provide alternatives...maybe this way everyone would understand just a little more too.
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:18 am
Eponine caught the flash of movement beside her, which only struck her deeper with terror. Her blue eyes shadowed in fear as she pushed herself to run faster, harder, and to put as much distance between herself and that . . .that. . . . that thing. Whatever it was it surely was no typical soquili. . . . She had caught sight of horns, and of leathery wings. . .
A kalona. It had to be.
And yet it was huge, monstrous compared to her.
Doubt began to set in and Eponine understood completely that there was little she could do to fight this beast. But she wasn't going down without a fight! She would run until her knees gave out, or until he knocked her down. He wanted her to stop? ******** that! Who in their right mind was going to just stop and let some beast maim her willingly!? No way, she wasn't going to fall for such a trick. . . .
Nostrils flaring, Eponine tried to find her voice. She continued to work on putting space between herself and the monster and wanted nothing more than her family close. Look at what happened the last time she'd strayed; she had met Ezriel and had fooled herself for love. Now she was being hunted . . hunted! Death had never been so close and the mare regretted ever stepping foot outside of Twilight's plain again!
Papa where are you? Zevach? Anybody~!
"What do you want!? G-g-get away!" Her voice was full of fear, a rise of anger and need to survive allowing her stammer to fall away. As she had learned with Ezriel, in times of passion such as rage or anger, her stammer practically fell away. An odd quirk but perhaps her tongue understood she had no time to fumble through words. Like now.
Oh gods. . . spirits save her! She was going to die at the hooves of some shadow, of some beast and things would never be resolved. She'd never see her son, Rue, never make amends with her daughter, and her family would never know what became of her. She'd turn to dust in the middle of an unfamiliar woods and such would be the end of Eponine's legacy. . .
A life shrouded with broken dreams, fear. Would this be her greatest accomplishment, being used as a snack for some bully?
. . . quite possibly. And wasn't it a shame.
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:06 am
Good grief, why did every low land soquili have to make things difficult for him. It was not his intention nor his desire to cause harm but he had to do 'something' to play along with his father. With too much at stake he had to find some sort of answer (or sign) that would lead him to either out smarting or otherwise satisfying the accursed male for at least a small amount of time. If Azumoth was honest he wasn't about to capture or harm the mare but she needed to stop running and who was he to get her to stop...?
He looked like a demon, he was acting like a demon.
She was absolutely terrified.
It truly was a game for his father. It gave Kiyoshi such pleasure to see his son struggle with his own morals while he fought desperately to protect his honor. Yet every step of the way had obstacles and circumstances often arose to the point that Azumoth couldn't avoid acting in an undesirable manner. There had already been deaths....There had already been injuries and they weighed heavily on his shoulders. It would take him years to redeem himself for those and yet Kiyoshi continued to press harder and more firmly. He was his father's toy, for want of a better description.
Thus, it was his father's intention to make this pretty little mare nothing more than another toy and victim to his horrid desires. Azumoth was simply the sheep dog that rounded up the chosen lamb for slaughter. It truly made him sick to his stomach.
"Just wait!" he roared at last, his voice bouncing off the tree trunks as he thrust himself forward at a much swifter rate. Dodging in and out of the trees as he had trained himself to do from a young age, it wasn't long before he had circled round the mare and drawn himself to a halt. Unfurling his wings to add yet another barrier before the mare, he cast a rather eerie shadow upon the female as she approached - yet the glint in his eye wasn't a cruel one...it was merely out of desperation.
"Please."
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