The disease that wiped the earth of mankind has returned, and it's starting to change its hosts somehow. Reports of unearthly powers are arising all over Toren while more and more become infected.
updates
< 11 JULY 2017 > The staff auditions and OTMs are officially OVER. I'd like to welcome our two new staffers - Lutheus and Crowenth! There will be some new events soon, as well as a big announcement - so watch this space.
< 20 JUNE 2017 > ATTENTION! Staff auditions are up and running. Please click here if you are interested in helping me run Clash.
< 06 JUNE 2017 > It hasn't been too long since we've opened - but we've already got a fresh new look. If you find any bugs in our new skin, please let me know so that I can fix it. Old members might have to update their avatar links and profile info! x
< 07 MAY 2017 > CLASH has officially been reopened and is ready for action! The plot, rules and canons have been revised - read more about it here.
It was strange that, of all places that that her travels and hardships could have carried her, she found herself back in her homeland, though it hadn't been hers for very long. A feeling of nostalgia, both pleasant and disturbing, pulsed through every fiber of her body with insurmountable strength. Six years. It had been six, terribly long years since she had been expelled from her mother's womb, a child loved and greeted by the Vessay despite the casual means of her conception. She wondered how differently she would have been treated if she had been a colt. Would they have allowed her father to steal her without the resistance that they had given as a filly? Or would she mature to be another breeding object in the harsh pecking order of the feminism-based sect? She shook the thoughts from her mind, finding them very slightly troubling. But of course, this was Astyn. She would never admit that the thought bothered her.
She peered around at the foliage surrounding her, eyes finally adjusting to the darkness of her surroundings. The forest... it was alive. Her lids lowered over her icy eyes and her muzzle raised to the wind, inhaling the humidity through her flaring nares. For a moment, she let the forest make its way into her mind and body.
She felt its breath thrum around her slowly moving bodice, weaving through the trees and wrapping around her legs like the vines that she pushed past. Every tree, every plant, seemed to radiate with waves of energy, rippling through the open air and making it quiver in an inexplicable manner. Sounds of animals split her eardrums harshly, but at the same time, they caressed her auds with utmost care. Even if she had been blind, she would have sensed its beauty with just as much force.
This land sucks.
She forcefully pulled herself from her nature-induced state of nirvana, snorting. This place enticed her to relax too much, and she hated it already. She couldn't possibly relax. Having not being the nicest mare in the world to those she had met, she was certain that someone probably had a bounty on her head right now. Of course, chances are that she was blowing her reputation far out of proportion, but she liked to think of herself as the terrifyingly cruel being that plagued Toren. To think that she may actually be known for something was a thrilling prospect to the mare.
She stepped carefully through the rainforest, head bobbing as she strolled leisurely. She was not very far into the forest, but was making steady progress... until she stopped. The appaloosa suddenly deemed herself far enough into the territory, and knew better than to encroach further upon it lest she be punished for such intrusions. She was not sure how the inner workings of the sect functioned, but any social group generally didn't enjoy uninvited trespassers. She wasn't even sure if there were any Vessay here. Her assumption that the sect still mostly resided in this portion of their territory came from it being her birthplace. For all that she knew, a lot may have changed in six years, and they could have taken up a settlement elsewhere. It was possible that her thoughts derived from the name of the location itself; The Forest Heart. Even its calling would fit any base or hideout that may be perched somewhere among the foliage, veiled by trees and guarded by its warriors.
Astyn shook the gathering moisture from her pelt, taking a moment to do a check over her features and allowing her hidden vanity emerge and get the best of her for a fleeting moment. The humidity had darkened the chocolate spots that dappled her coat, making the color lack almost all hue and appear as ebony. Her caramel mane stuck to her neck in corded strands, and with enough straining of her currently cross-eyed vision she could see that the heavy moisture had flattened the signature curl in her forelock, making it droop limply down below her forehead. A frown carved itself into her countenance, marring her facial features with narrowed eyes, lowered brows, and disdainful ridges of frustration. Calming herself, she flicked her tail, though flinched as this action came back to bite her--literally. The wet strands of hair stung the back of her legs, and then preceded to cling to her rump and limbs as if in desperate apology.
She was beginning to dislike this place more and more, with every passing moment. It was strange how something that was generally regarded inanimate could get on her nerves so easily. She hoped that she would find someone soon, or rather, she hoped that they would find her, since she was set on not moving from this spot. Astyn was generally curious how a feminist group such as the one she now sought treated strangers of their own genders. A mischievous smile gracing her kissers, she raised her head to give a call.
"I'm curious to see how the Vessay really treat potential members, as I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt by saying that this can't possibly be it." Her words rippled loudly through the area, boldly and confidently lacking restraint in volume. Twittering birds fell silent, and she heard a lizard or two scurry off into the underbrush. So what if I attract predators? I'll take down any that cross my path, and I'll ravage any equine or wolf that may challenge me! her mind boasted. She lifted her chin and quickly finished her outburst. "Otherwise, I'm greatly disappointed in the legendary sect I've heard so much about."
This brash confidence was not rare for Astyn. She has always very confident in her abilities since the decline of her despised brother, if not overly so. She was also certain that even if her mother herself was still alive, she would be recognized, or if she was it would be barely so. As a foal her coat had been bay, and then had proceeded to roan out and develop the speckled patches of white that splattered her bodice. It was difficult to tell anymore which was the base, if not almost impossible, but Astyn knew that the almost-onyx chocolate was the origin hue of her pelt. If anything, one could remember her by her eyes. Even as a foal, the electric blue, lightning-like eyes of the mare had been one of her distinguishing features, always shining even in the dimmest of light.
A strong gale swept through the canopies, high above, sending a sheet of rain down to the forest floor from the gathered moisture rolling off of its leaves. Minuscule shafts of light momentarily made it past the layer upon layer of greenery, momentarily dappling her pelt with dust-mode-speckled spots of golden light before it was swallowed by the trees once more.
words; 1,146 words muse; 09/10 ooc; There we go. <3 I would greatly appreciate an Anouk reply, if the current audition made for her is accepted, but any member of the Vessay is completely welcome to make a reply immediately. Also, forgot to mention in her bio that her love for the forest comes after she hates it. XD
They call above, to their sacred God, pleading for the deity to take this pain of grief away, to suck away the rue from their blood in a single curdling consummation. But no one answered. No one came. No one sought after the pieces lying on the ground, far too sharp to attain and put back together the puzzle that so cataclysmically came undone in the name of gratitude. Broken, oh so broken, the besmirched tides of the cerise hued sea washed away their tears, caressed their bodies until they writhed in ictus upon the black sands, calling out for their squandered lover who would never come to their side again. Unbeknownst to their melancholic hysteria, a delirium overwhelms their limbs, until it climbs into the sockets of their eyes, feeding, feasting on the mind trapped within the confines of their skulls.
The sensation rendered them but dying carcasses, their corpses as beautiful as when they were together, loving each moment they spent gazing into each other's lustful stare. It devours their arms, their legs, their torsos, peels away their erogenous skin until the bleach white bones are exposed to the cold midnight air, stained with the crimson chromaticity of sanguine mania. Torn apart and consumed the bodies become, the monster satisfied with the prey it happened upon that night, where the stars were its only company, the only witnesses to the ghastly ingestion of two innocents whose love intially burned like the brightest flame the world had ever seen, but eventually was what split them apart, into raging, demoniacal souls now swallowing the very flames of Hell.
There is no pity. There is no remorse. There is only the blackened hatred of a life mangled into something so horridly opaque that it defies description. Beneath the waves, they rest, ghostly spirits who cannot grasp the concept of paradise, of the shangri-la that awaits them. Instead, they roam the earth, marred by their avaricious strain of rigid viral incantations. The answers are hidden. The questions are lost. The dogmatic cypher is but a standing mark of a life used, and abused, and thrown awry to rot and putrefy. Love is a slow suicide. Love is a laggard death. Love is but a spectral, deceitful gift bestowed upon all living creatures by the gluttonous hand of a god whose amusement is born from the torture of his creations. There is no logic. There is no reason. Only, the sound of music. And the sound of sweet, sweet murder.
Never would he be a hangman with dirty hands. Even for the sake of God's worship, he refused to descend into the bowels of no morality. He was not virtuous, but even he had cherished his precious ethics as though they were golden medallions nailed graciously, painfully, to the broad yet skeletal wall of his chest. It seemed, that with the lack of the completion of his training, his health went with it, for now he suffered, both mentally and physically, the deft transformation of his body and mind causing him to teeter on the succulent, frightening threshold of insanity and madness. He smelled the morbidity in his sleep. He tasted the lunacy. He heard the voices of temptation whispering hideously in the shell of his ear. His dreams were filled to the spilling edge with nightmares, the crystal goblet of psychic welfare spilling over, like poisoned, crimson wine. Amidst the clamoring cadence of a broken concerto, his design was deteriorating, slowly, achingly, as change and repulsive transmutation contaminated the walls of his veins, and the arteries of a heart becoming twisted and morphed.
There was an enchantment to the forest that stood still around her, silence present against the salient golden of her regal body. Had there been any noise it would have been obloquy against nature, as the mother with her earth needed no sound to make it perfect. There was a faint twitching to the long ears of painted bright golden as the old frame of the equine walked onward, surveying with light grey eyes a world she knew well. It brought a cognizance that felt familiar in her brain, and that was a comfort to the old mare. Her memory as of recent had not been the best, as such familiar terrain and faces were a lovely, if rare, sight. Her hooves left heavy impressions behind her from her nine hundred and eighty some pounds, while the dazzling ivory of her tassel flicked back and forth evanescently. Her gaze was gentle but is assayed the land with the keenness of a hawk. She was entirely aware, despite the geriatrics that had been maintained about her lately, they thought she was too old to do much of anything. Anouk had an entirely different notion of what she could do and how well she could do it. Thoughts like these made the gold coloured mare shake out her frame, the silky tresses of white dancing about her body with elegance. How she managed to be so breathtaking even in old age was a wonder to many, but there was a breath of expertise over Anouk as a whole. She exuded the presence of royalty no matter where she went, even though that part of her may have been long ago. Anouk was and always would be a queen. This was displayed in her steps as they quickened taking the gorgeous silhouette of Anouk past the trees and deeper still into her enchanted forest of green. Her peregrination had been long and arduous, and yet she was still here today as strong as ever.
One should plaudit the mare for her bravery in lasting so long, but then again she might have just been feeling arrogant. At times she often wondered if she had proved herself enough to the Vessay and all that they stood for, but there were other times in which she thought she had given too much to them, and that she should be praised more. It was a delicate balance of modesty and superiority that she fought with often. One could not blame the mare for frolicking with thoughts like this. Has not everyone questioned their worth from time to time?
Light bay hooves tackled her enterprise, which would lead her to the scent of a mare, or so that is what her old nose told her. She would have quite a quandary if this was a stallion intending harm upon the Sect of Vessay. Anouk highly doubted that she could defend herself anymore; her fragile bones would break under the pressure alone. She chewed on this thought, and then spit it out with haste as such thoughts could not be soothsaid. Continuing her pace decelerated and she allowed her coat to shiver in the shade provided by the covering of trees. It acted like an awning of sorts from the sun, protecting the light gray of her orbs, but also sending a chill down her spine. She was not unhealthy looking but few bones could be seen here and there, pointing someone to the assumption that she was an old equine. Often she wondered how many years she had left on this earth, but perhaps she should not be predicting such ugly things. She became nascent with the possibility of her death, and the thought laid dormant in her brain, that is until times like these arose in which she forced herself to wonder about what was to come.
Darkness… This is what she supposed to find awaiting her in the afterlife and she was not entirely looking forward to being in a world of pure shadow. Anouk stopped and closed her eyes, cream colored lids covering the light gray of her iris. Her thoughts were contorting into something much different than afterlife and a violent shiver snaked along her body, forcing the female horse to quake throughout. Settling in her brain was a memory of her father that could not be contained, and as such these reveries played on the backs of her lids like a movie screen.
He stood there, before the entire group of horses and wolves and spoke words that they all longed to hear. He was a magnificent figure in the light, everything about him a compiling of stately honor. He was, simply put, very beautiful and he did not even have to try. His eyes were bright ochre against the color of the sunlight, reflecting the rays of color into his eyes and changing them. I was standing in the crowd, my figure invisible against all the other horses and wolves. I could have been anyone, but not him; he was the only thing that caught the attention of all those present. I should have been listening to his words, but I could simply not concentrate on anything but his presence alone. There it was, the vivid picture of my father leading the way to victory.
I was very, very proud.
Shaking her head the memory dissipated, and those ash colored eyes were revealed again, adjusting to the light that was available in the converging of trees. Anouk blinked and then resumed, her mission returning to the rightful path across her mind. Placid movements of the tassel tapped at her flank and her gold ears swivelled as sound was found. It was a female voice and there was some part of her that felt relieved. A stallion might have provoked unwanted memories to come forth without her consent.
Anouk could not make out the first bout of words that had been spoken, but as she came nearer she picked up on the syllables that were spoken a second time.
"Otherwise, I'm greatly disappointed in the legendary sect I've heard so much about." Anouk’s ears flicked downward, her brows narrowing as she recognized the tone of disapproval in the voice of the female. What stratagem motive was congregating in the mind of this guest of Vessay? Anouk had clearly not provoked such anger, or at least she was not aware of something she could have done. The golden frame of the female snorted, the light pink tips of her nostrils flaring in mystification. Upheaval in lands that were hers were, clearly, not unheard of, but of what anger could someone come across whilst their first visit?
Unless they are returning… As a notion that seemed the most obvious the old mare accepted it and continued onward the few steps that were needed to be revealed to this stranger. The forelock of ivory was draped directly down her muzzle, allowing both of her bright eyes to be seen. Flared nostrils indicated that Anouk had not appreciated that comment against the lands, especially of such the forest. Who could hate such a place? It was here, surrounded by trees and their dancing leaves that Anouk had died and been reborn, in allegorical terms that is. Appraising the female Anouk took another step forth before throwing out the gruffness of her voice.
“What grudge to you have against these lands?” She questioned, her orbs falling downcast to take in the earth that stood below their feet. The emerald weaved and flowed like an ocean in and of itself, sweeping across the floor of stone and mire and transforming it into something beautiful. Flowers were placed about, the purples, blues and vibrant yellows a contrast to one another, majestically bringing to life a fresh earth teeming with wonder. At one point, they had been stained with blood, and the tears of those who were hurting. At one point, these lands had been hers and hers alone to own. Anouk closed her eyes, unwanted memories sliding forth again. They fomented in her brain so fast that had she been any weaker she would not have been able to stop it. Focusing she raised her gaze again, wrinkled multi-colored lips parted to reveal speech.
“Surely…” She paused to catch the breath that seemed rushed into her chest.
“Surely, my friend, these flora and fauna have not offended you…or do they speak to you like they do to me? The wind whispers to old Anouk that you are plagued by your past.” Riddles such as these were in regular occurrence with her old age. Her words though held a certain sense of sincerity that it could not be ignored. The trees had not caused this young female harm, of that much Anouk was entirely sure. Blinking against the light, she returned the gaze of the female, attempting a smile of welcome on the old mare’s face. It was with keen interest that these eyes appraised her visitor, while shadows stretched across her back.
WC; 1504 ooc; yey first post with Anouk <3 I hope you like
Astyn's smile turned almost devious as she heard the voice chime out from behind her. She turned, freeing her flaxen locks of hair with a rolling shake as she did so. Her icy eyes laid upon a figure that came as a surprise to her. Instead of the strong, able-bodied mare she had expected, her gaze set upon a seemingly frail femme, body weakened with age and eyes ashen from a fire inside of the fae that Astyn could not see. She had expected someone she could spit fire at with her words, but even her smirk faltered at the sight of the palomino mare before her. She may be cruel to some, but standing here before her was an elderly horse that had taken the time to heed her call. Normally she would have disregarded this to a fairly high degree and still have made some harsh, biting comment, but for some strange reason the appaloosa could not bring herself to such.
"Grudge?" she chuckled, voice lacking any cruel tones. Her ears flicked backwards a bit, but then pushed forth as this new arrival spoke. She drank in the older creature's words, regarding her carefully. "You may want to get your ears checked m'dear," she remarked, tilting her head very slightly at the mention of the forest speaking to her. She took a moment to reconsider the femme's statement, eyes narrowing a tad as she thought.
Anouk... her mind tested, rolling through the depths of her mind to seek out memories that may match the name. She was a bit disappointed to find none, but then as she focused her gaze to nothing but the equine's eyes, her mind picked up on something. She wasn't sure what it was that triggered it; the memory had nothing to do with the silver optics or even the presence of the mare herself. Just the name. It came with the force of panic and confusion to the forefront of her vision, so many details of the memory lost with time.
Heart pounding in her chest, spindly legs stretching before her, struggling to keep pace with the stallion, whose hooves rang out in what seemed to her like rolls of thunder at her side. Her neck turned to stare behind her and she slowed as she did so, not having the coordination to sprint and glance at the same time. She gave a slight squeal and lunged forth as a cheek slammed into hers, forcing her head forward. She pulled her path of sight from the distraction and laid her wide eyes upon the stag that was her father. He gave a disapproving glare and then turned his dial forth again. She knew better than to look back again as he spoke, voice rolling out in deep, almost terrifying baritones.
"Don't look back. Anouk'll probably be sending someone to hunt us soon and if you look back they'll catch you," he growled. Astyn wasn't sure what an 'Anouk' was, but whatever it was, she wasn't sure if she wanted it to catch her. She found it better and easier to listen to her father rather than going against him, so she kept running.
Another lunged forth, sending her conscience to the land of flashbacks.
The wolves were all around her; they were on her left and on her right and in front of her and behind her. It was almost like there were thousands! Of course, there weren't that many (only four or five), but to her young, over-reactive mind it certainly seemed like it. They came up to her chest and shoulders, and she felt tall and short at the same time. She heard their murmurings all around then. It took her about a mile of forcing her aching legs to keep moving before she realized that she could understand them.
"Anouk'll be worried if we take much longer," one remarked. The others agreed, bobbing their heads, but Astyn wasn't sure if she wanted to go back to Anouk. Wasn't Anouk the thing that her father said was going to catch her? But the wolves had told her that her father had taken her away from her mother... The young creature was not sure what to think anymore.
"What's an Anouk?" she asked in a good-natured manner, curiosity clearly evident in her voice.
"Someone very important that you'll be meeting soon," one of the wolves said gently, smiling at her.
The intruder blinked, eyes returning to the present. It had only been a moment--literally only a blink of the eye, but it had seemed like ages. She recognized the manner in which they trickled back as very old memories; they were ones from when she was a foal. Her mind reasoned over this fact. Her father had stolen her from the Vessay and whisked her away to the Gypsy Forest, where they had been captured by wolves sent to retrieve them. He had been killed and she had been transported halfway back before the group was ambushed by a band of bachelors and overtaken.
Someone very important... That was it. Anouk was the leader of the Vessay. That had to be it. This rambling 'fool' before her was actually a very revered figure in the group she was seeking to join. Astyn wasn't sure what come over her in that moment, but her upper body suddenly lowered slowly to the ground, one leg folding to an acute angle to accommodate her respectful bow. Her muzzle brushed the ground before she lifted herself tentatively after a moment's pause.
"Anouk," she began, allowing the name to roll off of her tongue and toss itself about in her mind. She gave a gentle smile, one of such genuine proportions that she had not felt since she was only a few hours old. "My past has plagued me for a very, very long time." Here she paused, pondering her choice of words. "You may not remember me, but I was born here. When I was a foal, I was stolen from the Forest Heart and the Vessay by my father. The wolves sent in pursuit came back empty-handed after defeating him, ambushed halfway through their return by the bachelor band that I was forced to grow up in afterward. Yes, my past plagues me more than any disease ever could, but after six long years, I have returned." Astyn had never been one for long monologues (that is, unless they were ones in which she picked apart every flaw in another's appearance or personality without mercy), but something about this one was... refreshing. To finally get such off of her chest to someone she knew would listen. To finally know that she was home.
No, not yet. Her presence was here but her membership in the Vessay was not. She pondered over the irony of her words. The one thing that did plague her was the Nosoi Disease, but it had been halted in the ferocity of its deterioration of her being by the Carnicula, and was no longer in a contagious stage (or so she hoped). She had been looking into retrieving some sort of stone she had heard of in her travels that would free her of the need to ever take the plant again. She had seen many with discolored patches from the disease, but it seemed as if hers had not taken root yet. She had noticed a slight discoloration and burning sensation on one of the white patches on her left hindquarter, and she guessed that it was there that it would begin. At least it was mostly unnoticeable in the blotch of alabaster, but by the time it became grossly visible she hoped her chest would be adorned by the aforementioned stone.
words; Exactly 1,300 words muse; 10/10 ooc; this place does freaking wonders for my muse. <3 Tell me if you have any problems with the post and I'll be happy to change anything~
‘Come along, Anouk… ‘ the voice said, directing her onward through the grass, her body young and vibrant, the golden hue across her back as bright and vivacious as the sun that shone across the forest floor. Then, her mane had been an excellent shade of ivory…then her eyes have been a vibrant source of emotion.
Anouk was blinded by this simple memory for only a second before the female in front of her came into view and turned her features toward the old mare. Anouk had conjured the best smile that she could, but the wrinkled edges shook with effort. Apparently smiling was not her forte. Looking at the other equine across the way from her she noticed the colors that stretched across her coat were very different from the pattern of gold that ran across Anouk’s frame. Her flaxen color was a surprise, only because she had not been witness to many of this hue. When she spoke though the first impression had been blown, and Anouk immediately raised her eyebrows in response.
What a kind welcome… She thought sarcastically, flicking her tail and allowing the ivory tresses to tackle her rump. Really, the response had annoyed Anouk, as she had only made an observation based on the yelling the equine did. What gave her the right to come into the Vessay lands and yell at them? Anouk denied herself the pleasure of throwing back a sardonic word or two and instead focused on female. Her eyes were bleary now, as if she was suddenly lost and Anouk merely waited for more words to come. If that was the way she was going to be treated, Anouk might as well turn and leave and for half a second this thought was the most prominent on her mind. Instead she soothed herself, calming these thoughts and allowing the golden equine to see clearly now. No longer frustrated she situated herself only a few feet from the female, and took the time to really appraise her features. She was lean, with muscle in all the right places and a rather long forelock that curled upward to form an unfinished circle. That brought a smile to her lips, though she could not exactly describe why. It brought back another memory inside of her head, one that occurred long ago, but was still fresh inside of her mind. As much as it pressed to the fore-front of her head though she ignored it and focused instead on the female that stood in front of her, with all her flaxen beauty and lack of respect. Her tones of course had held no malice, but the words alone were enough to make this old female grunt with disrespect. Though the comment had been earlier, it was still fresh in her brain, allowing the female to easily go over it again and again. Deciding then Anouk tossed her words aside, preparing herself for whatever speech the female decided to throw at her next.
‘In the epitome of loneliness one often finds the path that will lead them onward through the depths of depression and outward to the light of life.’ Anouk could not pin-point the voice the sounded in her head, nor was she aware that suddenly her eyes had become blank. It happened rather suddenly actually that this acute memory decided to come forth and block all her struggle against it.
‘Do you remember when I first spoke those words to you?” It asked, and the picturesque figurine of Anouk nodded, something close to sadness welling in her eyes. Everything around her had suddenly changed, and she was no longer looking at the almond dappled female, but at the strong and muscular figurine of another mare, entirely white in color. She stood straight, her shoulder squared and head held high. If this had been taking place now rather than it being just a memory, Anouk would have shied away, but in the presence of pure reveries, it seemed silly to move at all and it played on like a movie against the cement of her eyelids.
‘Just remember this Anouk, for I know you are suffering now but soon, soon your wounds will heal and you will be whole again.’ Such words echoed in her head as the white mare faded back into flaxen. The ivory mane and tassel that swayed in the wind dispersed and revealed the bright almond of her guest, and she looked as if she was coming back to reality. Anouk attempted to do the same.
It felt like a long moment before the tongue rolled her name again and Anouk looked up to meet her gaze. She had said nothing since the brown one spoke, and if her tone did not hold within it the respect she deserved, Anouk doubted her voice would stain the air here again, at least not while this female was present.
It was then that she decided to speak, and the only thing that Anouk could do was listen. It seemed a long-winded speech, but what could Anouk do but pay attention and attempt to remember what she was talking about. The first words out of her mouth proved that Anouk was right in assuming that her past plagued her, and she wondered exactly why the female chose to use the same words as she did. It seemed stupid to Anouk, but again she said nothing. Her chest rose and fell with deep breaths as she paid mind to her words, and found that there was something quite interesting about her story…that is all it was to Anouk though a story, as no memory came forth of such a past. She wanted to shake her head to express that she was not aware of the female’s history, or why she had bothered to return after six long years. Anouk’s only reason for returning was her father, as apparently was this female’s reason for leaving to begin with. Why would a stallion choose to steal a foal from the Vessay to begin with?
Anouk breathed in deeply, hoping to gather her thoughts and focus her speech, but honestly the fragile female had nothing to say. Fancy that she had been born here, but that is all she was, a stranger born in Vessay lands, and this equine wasn’t about to just trust whatever the heck she said, no, Anouk was not as naïve as that. She snorted and pawed at the ground, flicking her mane back and forth with her movements. It seemed a strong gesture for such a fragile being as herself, and for a brief moment it captured all the youthfulness and vigor that was stationed inside of this gorgeous equine.
Finally, after a long span of silence, those pink tipped lips opened to reveal words.
“…and why have you come back?” A simple question that held the quintessence of great meaning, but Anouk would not explain. That was not up to her now, no, instead she let the smart brown female figure it out, in all her glory. Obviously she was much smarter than Anouk, and much stronger too, or at least that is what it seemed the female was projecting. Anouk didn’t like it, and if she didn’t like it, she did not have to put up with it. She wondered if the female knew who the hell she was talking to, and exactly what Anouk could do in which to get this female away from the lands that at one point she had been queen of.
Ahhh… She sighed in her head. Anouk, you are getting grumpy with your old age… She whispered in the depths of her mind, despite the soft, calm noise it appeared to echo in the confines. She steadied herself, allowing a different expression to cross her face, one that could easily convey that despite her fragile nature, she was not one to be messed with. Anouk had seen it all; she was the wise retired Queen of Vessay. One could not blame the mare for being so wrought with emotions and cantankerousness, well they could, very easily, but one should not. At one point this female could have stood with the ferociousness of a lioness, she wondered if she managed to convey at least a small amount of this now in the presence of…what was this females name? Had she introduced herself? Anouk could not remember and so in after-thought spoke again, her gentle tones cast into the air rather suddenly.
“I have given you my name. Can I ask of yours?” He voice was perhaps a little gruffer than before, and she attempted to clear her throat, not that it mattered. Old age did a lot of unwanted things to the body, and the voice that used to be as soft as a dove’s coo with a lover, and as harsh as her father’s war cry with her warriors. Such was no longer, as more than ever her voice was giving out on her. Anouk still have a few good years left in her, but what after that? It seemed a question that everyone was asking nowadays and Anouk sighed against the emotions that ran like murky water through her brain.
Every time she got her hopes up and dared to dream, even a little, she always ended up disappointed. As she gauged the bitter reactions of the aged mare before her, she felt her hope crumbling and falling to pieces as they withered into hateful thoughts toward only herself. Of course, what had she expected? To be remembered? To be welcomed back with open arms and rejoicing celebration? To be taken into the sect as if she had never been gone? It was the sad truth that this is what she had idly hoped in her brief moments as a wishful dreamer, but now she cursed herself for every last bit of it. She cursed herself for ever allowing her hopes and imagination to ever have any freedom, all of the while remaining unchanged on the outside.
Yes, Astyn, why have you come back? her mind prompted bitterly, self-spite stabbing needles into her brain to pull up an answer. Her eyes narrowed with momentary thought before they returned to their former fullness once more, though they were still clouded slightly as her mind toiled about itself. Her auds picked up on the inquiry involving her name, and she answered both questions willingly.
"My name? Oh, crap, I'm sorry. It's Astyn." Something apologetic crossed her features; it wasn't a smile: more like a smirk without the negative intentions usually hidden behind them. Astyn was not normally the one for full-out smiles, and two in one day would be a bit too uncharacteristic for her. Such genuine beams made her uncomfortable and most of all, made her face hurt. Shaking her characteristic curl of forelock from her eyes and back onto her muzzle, she continued.
"Well... because I don't know who I really am or where I really belong." It was here that Astyn began to think ahead, not wanting the mare to have to ask unnecessary questions just because she was too careless and left something out. "I don't even know if here is where I belong, but I won't know unless I try," she admitted, but then quickly added: "That is, if you shall allow it."
She found it hard to be cruel under the examination and judgement of a such a seemingly gentle being. Of course, this 'gentle' creature was turning out to be quite feisty, but that was beside the point. Or maybe it wasn't. Either way, she knew that she would have to tone it down if she were to ever belong anywhere. She gave a sigh, ears flicking back and head lowering.
"I probably don't deserve it, but I just thought it'd be worth a try," she said, right shoulder rolling and lifting in a sort of shrug. It was then that she straightened, lifting her head a bit. Anouk wasn't here for a pity party, and Astyn didn't necessarily want to give her one, either.
words; 487 muse; 06/10 ooc; I feel horrible giving you this terrible of a post after that wonderful art of yours that you posted above, but my muse dwindled a bit on this one. I'm sorry. D8
The wind around the area seemed to pick up as Anouk eyed the female across the area, forcing her forelock to tickle her face. Her pink tipped nostrils twitched with the sensation of her scent crossing quickly across the clearing. Her anger had been flared before but she was calm now, her breath even and eyes curious. The honey of her coat was shimmering in the light available, but there were shadows stretched across her frame as well from the dense forestry that hung above them like a canopy. Nature was so beautiful even when pushed together like they seemed to be, all crowded except for where the horses stood. She wondered if this place held any importance to the female and that is why she decided to stop here and yell but decided not to meander with thoughts like these, it was of none her concern she supposed.
Eyeing the mare she waited for her to speak again, and with heavy breaths she thought about the responses she could receive. She really hoped that it wasn’t something snarky like it had been before, or else Anouk might get angry again. When she supplied her name Anouk nodded and nothing more.
Astyn She repeated committing the name to memory as if not to forget it later on. She wouldn’t want to be in an embarrassing situation like that. Her old age often brought many a moment like that upon her and Anouk wished to bypass them altogether if she could. Before she could ponder this anymore Astyn spoke again, breaking apart the connotation of memory in her mind.
At her response Anouk was taken aback.
How can one introduce themself; if they do know themself? She wondered inside her head but dared not say it out loud, fearing she might offend the quick to speak Astyn. Cocking her head to the side she said nothing and listened instead hearing Astyn but still wondering many a thing about her. It seemed that her past was haunting her very effectively, like a stalker hiding in the shadows at your every movement. For a brief moment Anouk felt a little sorry for her and the past she carried, but then again no one had apologized for her upbringing and the life that she was forced to lead. As such her pity seemed misplaced and she rejected it completely. She would have spoken right then and there but waited to see if perhaps this mare had more speech to convey. In this time she removed her eyes from Astyn and took in the overhang of branches, crowded with leaves. It provided a nice haven of shade for the two, and Anouk found herself thanking nature for giving her shade. It was needed in her old age, as she found that she was often too warm to function, in the summer Anouk found herself indolent and fatigued. Another thing about getting old that bothered her. She assessed the clearing, eyeing a patch of blue sky through the cluster of foliage.
No use complaining… She thought idly before turning her head back to Astyn and absorbing her words. Anouk met her eyes again and waited another minute before speaking her own words. In that moment she shook her mane and flicked her tassel, ridding from her body the sweat that seemed to cling there.
“Well…” She began breathing in deep to gather her breath. “I suppose I have no quarrel against you and I have no reason to deny you entry. Therefore you can consider yourself a part of our Sect…” Her words faded but it was obvious that there was more to her speech.
“…However you would do well to remember who you speak too.” She added, referring to her first source of speech. It still rubbed Anouk the wrong way.
Tag; Astyn Wc; 640 OOC; D’aaw that is sweet on you. Your posts are not crap ever <3
It had never been enough for her to simply know her own name. Sure, she was, per-say, Astyn, but it was simply a name to a face and a calling to a personality. It was difficult enough to understand who another individual truly was, let alone explain it to anyone. She knew her past and her name and what things set her off and what never bothered her, but something didn't feel right. She didn't feel complete, she didn't feel whole, she didn't feel like she was in one piece. Something was missing and she didn't know what, and it bothered her to absolutely no end. She seemed to belong nowhere, and it bothered her.
Her troubled thoughts were momentarily forgotten as the leader's words flowed into her auds. Her ears pushed forth and she gave a small smile, shaking out her mane with a little laugh. Her countenance became a bit bashful, though, as she was then reminded to remember who she was talking to. Ears flicking back she nodded politely, lowering her head.
"I will. Sorry about that," she apologized, giving a slight chuckle to lighten the mood a little. She hadn't meant her earlier statements as outright unfriendly or rude, but she could see that Anouk had been a bit irritated by it, no matter her intentions. "Thank you, though," she breathed, staring about at the rainforest around her. She suddenly became aware of the absence of earlier's breeze as well as how unbearably hot it was becoming. Flicking her tail, she looked back at Anouk, a bit concerned for the older mare, though she kept it out of her tone and eyes. She had quickly learned that this femme was not at all to be underestimated. "So... what else is there to the territory? Any rivers or streams or anything of the like?" she inquired, tilting her head at the slightest. Hopefully anywhere near water would be naturally cooler, unless it was a hot spring or something of the like, though she had never heard of such a curiosity before in a rainforest. She couldn't keep her eyes from looking about and examining their surroundings. She was still partially irritated by the heat and humidity, but did her best to not show it.
Somehow, Astyn felt accomplished. She wasn't quite sure how or why she felt this way. All she had managed to do was walk into a forest, manage to irritate one of the more infamous individuals of the land, and join a sect she probably didn't deserve a place in. Maybe it was the fact that all six years of her life had led up to the anxiety that had filled her earlier and been dispersed by Anouk's words. Maybe now was a turning point. The appaloosa fae grudgingly accepted that she would have to be tolerant of whoever may irritate her in the Vessay. She hoped that there wasn't anyone too unbearable that would constantly set her off and complicate things, despite her efforts.
How is it that such a turn in events manages to effect me so?
[/color] she mused, flicking her ears curiously at her thoughts. The almond-dappled equine had never felt more whole, no matter how cheesy or cliche it sounded. But sometimes the truth was just that.
Thick leaves twisted with one another, the limbs of the trees intertwining and coiling around the arms of other foliage. It really was a vast array of plant-life here, blocking them from the rest of the world. It felt somewhat like a time warp, stepping from reality into a land plucked straight out of her brain. It really was perfect here, if rather confining. She danced in place, her aching bones eager to move to distract her from the pain. Days like this she thought back to her childhood, when she had taken her youth for granted. She forgot herself though, now was not the time to dwell. Astyn nodded her pretty head and opened her lips to speak. Anouk smiled in response, ears lowering flat against her head in acceptance. It was nice to finally hear a hint of respect in that tone.
“You are welcome Astyn.” She spoke softly, kindly now rather than spitting her words at the ground. It felt a lot more calm in the area now, as if the tension had been suddenly lifted. Anouk was free to smile in response to the mare’s presence, the old corners at her lips folding upward. At the mare’s question Anouk flicked her tail across her rump, tackling the itch that lay there. Her mind searched the landscape of the territory and she jumped to the first one that crossed past her vision. She could only guess that she was ferring to all the lands and not only the ones that Anouk once owned.
“Vendice Lake. The Mangrove entrance…I am sure there is a stream or two nearby.” Anouk sniffed at the air, tender pink tipped nostrils testing the air.
“It would be as much a new discovery for you, as it would be for me. I am afraid in my old age I can only remember what my mind lets me." Somehow Anouk was tentative about revealing such information, but she could not take back the words now. Swallowing, the golden mare silently cursed herself for the slip of the tongue. It might have registered across her face, but if it did it lasted but a second before she recollected herself with a shake of the head. Her mane spread about her neck in long white tresses, the forelock a messy entanglement of ivory. Anouk was sure that her appearance was a little less than appealing, but what did she care? It wasn’t like she had anyone to impress in her old age. The large frame of the Andalusian moved a few paces from her spot, eager as always to move forward. She was feeling rather parched, perhaps a trip to the lake was in order? Anouk felt that it would be an appropriate move, but wondered of saying anything. Was there anything inappropriate about her asking that their change their location? Anouk figured not, but wasn’t sure and therefore didn’t want to ask. What a great time for her self-consciousness to sneak up on her. She nodded her head up and down, as if shaking away that messy forelock that seemed to tickle her eyes and moved in place again lifting each hoof up and then down in a pattern. She looked very much a horse of her breed in that moment.
“Would you like to visit the lake with me?” Anouk asked, rather suddenly even to her own ears. It had come before she had time to mull it over and her lips had formed the words unconscious to her mind. Rather than shying away to the comment she stood and faced it, exuding nothing but confidence to the female that stood across the clearing from her.
Ooc; Sorry this sucks >.< WC: 589
CBOX
CLASH TAG BOX: This little guy is for member tagging purposes only. Any unrelated or guest messages will be deleted. Members - feel free to
tag others or share any updated threads! You can use the [url] tags to link.
AFFILIATES
The skin OTHERWORLD was made by JAWN of WICKED WONDERLAND and modified.
CLASH! was created by OMEGALOMANIAC. Header image created by OMEGALOMANIAC.
Images belong to their respective artists. All codes and scripts belong to their respective coders. Please DO NOT take anything without the owners' permission.
