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  • Beqanna

    COTY

    Assailant -- Year 226

    QOTY

    "But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura


    Out with the golden we sew // Baltas, any
    #1
    I don't mean to manipulate him with my words, but I am also not sorry that my genuine love for Hyaline came through enough to change his mind about where he ought to be in life right now. Politics and warfare may be avoided when the worst comes to pass - but perhaps he can understand that in Hyaline, they are not exactly the way that he may have experienced in the past.

    A gush of excited and thrilled laughter comes from my lips when he replies with of course I'll help, forward and blunt and without any hesitation. When the giddiness subsides, a moment of doubt passes my mind - what if he is a spy? But no, when I look again, there's a trustworthiness in those deep brown eyes that is undeniable. The unease passes, and is replaced by a confusion at his words. A rider? Curious, but I do not dwell on it, figuring it is a term from his Elsewhere.

    "The fact that you come with experience at all is a leg up, Baltas, because many in Beqanna have none at all." I glance to the setting sun which casts the snow in an array of colours before turning back to the white stallion once more. "But we'd better get going if we want to make it home on time." There, I'd said it: home.

    Smiling, I step forward and beckon him to follow with a soft press of my dark muzzle to his impossibly white fur. The field quickly falls behind us as we travel at an easy lope, and at other times, a walk. But the rest of the journey takes quite a longer time, and when we arrive at the foothills that mark the border of Hyaline, the last light of day shines sleepily behind us.

    "I'm sorry to have made you travel so far," I say, warm mist clouding around my snout; but I'm smiling too, clearly not sorry at all. "But this is Hyaline! You can see the mountains from here, and the lake is tucked just around the bend of that first one." I pause in case he has something else to say, and then pick up the thread one last time. "There are many others who call Hyaline home, and perhaps they shall come out to meet its newest member."

    --

    @[Baltas] OOC - welcome to Hyaline! Feel free to post another 'open' post like you did in the field, but now based in Hyaline! There are lots of other players who want their characters to interact with yours!
    [Image: kag]
    dreamweaver
    #2
    I hope that you catch me, ‘cause I’m already falling
    Ilma

    The white Andalusian has taken flight; while she can, she feels she should enjoy the feeling. With Tähti, she had been overly protective, but to be honest, even though she loves children, she has a hard time loving this one.

    She’d thought about trying to find poisonous plants, to make sure Arithmetic hadn’t gotten what he wanted all along - she had heard of a mare losing her foal that way - but honestly that mare had suffered conplications after, and Ilma wasn’t one to risk her own life for it. Besides, she realized, she could not blame the innocent life inside of her for what their father was like - she would bring them up rightly and with respect to another horse.

    But it was from her higher position that she spotted Kage returning; together with a Lippizaner horse. She landed, slightly heavy (she would not be able to keep this flying thing up for long any more) and when his scent hit her nostrils, she realized it was a stallion that her bay and white friend had recruited.

    Now that wasn’t so strange, but perhaps Kag had the right of it in trying to recruit her army of protectors - Hyaline’s Guard - herself. As the lead Protector they would have to look up to her. But Ilma felt that perhaps if one knew who or what they were fighting for, that would help inspire them.

    And so she made her way to greet then, trotting uphill and whinnying softly to them to welcome them home.

    don't let the fear of flying stop you from falling



    @[Baltas] @[Kagerus]
    Edit: fixed his breed, my mistake^.^
    Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this: men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.
    Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time
    #3
    Any doubt that Baltas held fades at Kagerus's delighted laughter. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and Baltas finds himself quite excited to join Hyaline. He sees a flash of confusion in her eyes when he mentions a rider, but he isn't really surprised. He knows that there are no humans in Beqanna, has known that since he came here. 

    When Kagerus says the word home, Baltas nearly shivers with joy. The light of the setting sun makes everything look so pretty, which only makes him even more happy. It's a long way to Hyaline, and when they arrive it's nearly dark, but Baltas can't care less, even as the warmth from the sun fades away and it becomes even colder than before.

    They're only at the border, but Baltas can already see Hyaline's mountains, and they are so beautiful. Soon another mare approaches - a white Andalusian. And she has... wings. Huh. I guess that's another part of Beqanna I'll have to get used to. "Hello," he says, giving her a respectful nod. "I'm Baltas. What's your name?"
    @[Kagerus] @[Ilma]
    OOC: Baltas is a Lipizzan not an Arabian
    #4
    Before long, a familiar soul approaches myself and my new recruit. I see her before she whinnies, the rising moonlight completely revealing her alabaster figure. I glance to Baltas to gauge his reaction to her extra appendages, and am pleased to see that despite a slight raise of his brow, he takes the oddity in stride. Well, good; there were many many more magical oddities stranger than wings that he’d have to become adjusted to. Speaking of which...

    As he’s greeting her in his courteous and masculine tone (a tone which I am proud of Ilma for bearing after her trauma), the horn I’d dreamt rematerializes on my skull. It is thin and black, almost unnoticeable I’m the darkness - but I trust Baltas to be perceptive enough to see it anyway. That’s why I recruited him, after all.

    Turning to the Ambassador with a smile, I step forward and gently press my nose to hers in an exchange of breath and good faith. Though things have been tense between us, what with my being in love with the queen but also affectionate with the queen’s brother and so on, I still cherish our friendship. Two years ago now I brought Ilma to this land; and though there had been suffering on these mountaintops for her, she has also thrived and grown.

    Stepping back, I glance between white horses - hopefully the second will be as prosperous as the first. “Baltas, this is Ilma. She is Hyaline’s Ambassadoe, Head of diplomacy; if you are interested in using your wits to better this kingdom, that caste may too be good for you. You’re allowed to be in more than one,” I finish with a smile. He comes from Elsewhere, and deserves a thorough explanation of Beqanna’s inner workings.

    Lastly, I turn oncemore to Ilma. “I was just about to show Baltas the lake - I’d love for you to join us.”
    [Image: kag]
    dreamweaver
    #5
    I hope that you catch me, ‘cause I’m already falling
    Ilma


    Ilma has a trace of stubbornness to her, that much can be said. It does not easily come out; but is there, and it’s one of the reasons that she cannot sit around and cry; but it is just that this thing cannot, should not and will not take over her whole life. She will learn from this and she will thrive once more.

    That being said, it is indeed still hard for her to smell another male - but she tries to distinguish the one stallion from the other through her flared nostrils, not to let another take a blow from what the one had done in the past. The white mare calms more when the Lippizaner male is, in appearance, more like herself and less like her wrongdoer; she calms fully when she takes in Kagerus’ breath, a scent most familiar and trusted.

    She smiles to the Portugese white then; his features so similar to what she knows as family, be it only that the two races share so many ancient lines. His name is Baltas, he says, and she nods. ”I am Ilma,” she answers quickly, and Kagerus fills in the rest. Or most of it anyway. The winged mare glances at the stallion, seeing he is composing himself - perhaps the magic is something he still needs to get used to. Also he gets a full explanation on the two castes in Hyaline, and Ilma realizes he must be from another land just like she. She nods to him, in respect. He’s holding up quite well. ”Yes, if you so please, you’d be allowed to take on as many tasks if you like. As a sanctuary, we take in all those who wish us no harm, so it is in our best interests to not separate a horse’s physique so much from their brain as perhaps another kingdom might. But rest assured if your heart belongs to one caste, you’re not required to do anything that doesn’t suit you.” After all, she was never required to take any lessons in fighting, and although many horses might think otherwise, she still had no yearn to do so. Even with some lessons, she would not have been able to fight the father of her current child - or if she would, she would probably not have won.

    She wonders about her winged daughter for a moment - currently in Nerine, she might make a fierce fighter as well when she came home. She’s distracted from that thought, however, and agrees to escort Baltas to the lake. While they walk, she tags along on his other side, trying to get the conversation flowing so as not to be distracted by her thoughts of a daughter she can only hope does well, or a man she is not likely to see any time soon. ”Have you been in Beqanna long, Baltas? I know for me, it was quite a shock to find out about the magic in the land. I don’t know if Kagerus told you about that before?” She might have, she might not have - knowing something is possible and actually seeing it happen were two different things; and it could be just the latter that had surprised him when she made her appearance.

    don't let the fear of flying stop you from falling

    Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this: men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.
    Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time
    #6
    Baltas can tell that Ilma is nervous at first, but the white mare calms when Kagerus touches noses with her. Surely it couldn't be shyness - she's the Ambassador, after all. But he sets that curiosity aside for now, choosing instead to focus on whatever is on Kagerus's head. It's hard to see in the darkness, but Baltas is fairly sure it's a horn. He is also sure that it wasn't there when he met Kagerus. Small though the feature may be, it surprises the Lippizan more than Ilma's wings because of the way it materialized out of thin air.

    "I would rather be in just one caste by now, until I get used to everything," Baltas says, returning Ilma's smile. "Would I be allowed to join a second caste later on?" As they walk to the lake, Ilma brings up the topic of magic, and he is eager to find out more.

    "I just came to Beqanna, actually. She hasn't told me about the magic yet. It's amazing, isn't it?" He smiles at Ilma, glad that she is so friendly. "I was actually wondering about Kagerus's horn. I'm sure it wasn't there when I first met her, but I just noticed that it's there now. Is that a special kind of magic, or is making things like horns and wings appear and disappear something all horses can do?"
    #7
    Ilma picks up the fine threads of the conversation where I'd deftly left them for her, further explaining the caste system and how it is open and free to interpretation. A gentle smile colours my expression as I listen to her lilting tones, lifting my nose to smell the first of the winter breezes drifting past us. The snow below has gotten thicker since we are much more north in Beqanna now, but our thick coats are well adjusted for the weather, and Baltas shows no sign of being cold.

    "One caste is absolutely fine, Baltas, and you may tell either of us which one you prefer." I smile softly. "And of course you may join a second caste whenever you feel that you have your wits about you."

    Before long, the angelic white mare is going on to talk about magic, and I look back to the two alabaster figures rather sheepishly. Ah, well, I'll have some questions to answer. And they come rather swiftly from the perceptive Baltas, leaving me smiling into the darkness. I thought I'd fooled him! Ah, a shame. But really, it's a good segue into the intricate, tangled ways of Beqanna's magic. There's lots for the stallion to learn, and it's best he start doing so now.

    "I hope you don't mind the small deception, Baltas," I begin in a cheerful tone, pressing my nose to his shoulder as we walk in way of small apology. "But no, to answer your question, not every horse can make things materialize. I happen to be able to manipulate dreams - and so if I dream my horn away, it will vanish in real life for a few hours. I can summon things too, like wings." And life, I want to add - but that might be a little too advanced for tonight's conversation.

    "Beqanna is our source of magic - She is alive, though most of the time you can only tell by the magic you see in others. There are many, many kinds of magics - and it is best to try to accept that early on. Solace, our queen, has light beam emission; the queen of Nerine, Hestia, has and exoskeleton and wings made of fire; I have met witches, and demons, and mages." I pause for a breath, continuing thoughtfully. "And truth be told, I was born with only immortality - Beqanna is keen to give those willing to prove themselves magics beyond compare. You needn't feel excluded or any of that. Many horses go without magic - but if you are ever interested, there will be many times when you will be able to prove yourself worthy of it, should you choose to."

    Quieting after this long spiel, I look over Baltas' shoulder to Ilma, wondering if she has anything more to add. The lake is quickly approaching, and as the clouds part, moonlight strikes my skin: and suddenly, I am covered head to toe in shimmering clouded-leopard spots. Right - there's that about me, too.

    @[Ilma]
    [Image: kag]
    dreamweaver
    #8
    I hope that you catch me, cause I’m already falling
    Ilma

    The winged mare’s insides are still churning - but the scent of the Lippizaner is easier than most other’s; perhaps because his lines are easily traced back to some similar to hers; he smells familiar almost like a distant cousin. Perhaps that is why she is able to calm, that she is able to talk at all - his white body so similar, it might be that she is lured into him like she would be to a brother.

    Or perhaps he’s just very friendly and likeable, not asking personal questions where he would probably have seen her tense - he is perceptive enough to spot the difference in Kagerus after all. He can’t have missed it and she is glad he neglected to talk about it.

    When she elaborates about the castes, he asks if he can be in one now and perhaps two later. She nods, as Kagerus words the answer that this is perfectly fine. Kagerus is also so kind as to further explain Beqanna’s magic, which leaves Ilma a blank slate. But she has nothing more to add, although she silently raises her brow when the moonlight hits her friend - had she had that all along? She doesn’t recall seeing it before, but it doesn’t matter now - her own pelt, and Baltas’ too, sinply shine a little whiter.

    She smiles to the white stallion, and nods towards the lake, shimmering in the stark white light. ”If you want it to be - that there’s the sight of home.” Beautiful in itself, even looking inviting for a night swim in it’s serene view, Ilma doesn’t comment on it further. Hyaline is a sight to take in, and to be honest, she’s come to love it even more in the moonlight lately. Welcoming in the sunlight, the lake is calm, serene and open to anything at night.

    don't let the fear of flying stop you from falling



    @[Baltas] Sorry it took so long! You’re welcome to start or enter multiple other threads if you want in the meantime - there’s also Kingdom meeting thread you should probably post one or two sentences in Wink
    Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this: men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.
    Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time
    #9
    As they approach the lake, Baltas takes a moment to absorb the information Kagerus is giving him. "Is there any limit on what magic can do? Are there things magic cannot accomplish?" he asks, trying not to let his thoughts jump to all the worst things magic in this land could do. It doesn't work. Vision damage from a bright light, burns, nightmares... Baltas' eyes have never been seriously hurt by the sun, but he knows from bright summer days that having light shine into his eyes is extremely uncomfortable. It's not hard to imagine how light magic could cause harm.


    He shivers a little, partly from the cold, partly from the beauty of the lake, and partly from the thought of what magic could do. The magic here can be a good thing, too, Baltas reminds himself. Not everyone is out to use their powers to do harm. The thought helps to reassure him, but some worry still remains.

    "And if it's all right, I'd like to be in just the war caste for now." Perhaps he will join the diplomatic caste later, or even leave the war caste for it, but right now, he feels that he does not know enough about this world to be in the diplomatic caste yet.

    @[Kagerus]
    Sorry I took so long!
    #10
    "There are some limits, yes, but nothing strictly defined. It comes down to the extent to which your power can go, but magicians are often limited by Beqanna herself. It's hard to explain, I'm sorry." I smile at the stallion easily, hoping that he'll forgive me for my less than satisfactory answer. But it is the truth, to be sure; if I knew any better, I would never withhold that information from one as forthcoming as Baltas.

    Catching the sight of the man shivering in my peripheral vision, I can't help but to shudder myself. My eyes go up towards the nighttime stars, and to the moon which so illuminates my leopard-marred figure. Sometimes it would be simpler without magic, I find myself wanting to say; but I resist the urge, knowing that it would do no good.

    Ilma speaks prophetically of the lake, and I turn a pleasant, friendly eye her way, before settling to gaze upon the lake with my own heartfelt admiration. "And a good sight it is."

    Perking an ear, I listen as Baltas requests a single caste to belong to, and I nod evenly. "Sounds excellent Baltas - Hyaline will be massively grateful to you for becoming one of our first warriors. In these trying times, such support will not go unnoticed by myself and Queen Solace." My smile snags a bit, and I find myself speaking more, almost without thinking. "Speaking of my mate, I must be returning to her; she is with child, or rather, with children - twins, as it were - and night has now fallen. I hope you will excuse me." Stepping forward, I press a touch first to Ilma, and then to Baltas.

    "It will be a pleasure to see you around Hyaline, sir; make yourself at home, meet anyone who you please, and if you are feeling so brave, you may even challenge a warrior from Sylva or else mock with any of the other kingdoms, to keep up your wits." I wink, jesting with the last phrase, but otherwise serious. Stagnation is not why I recruited him - but I am beyond certain that the keen stallion understands this, too. Nodding my horned head, I step back, and turn to go and find my beautiful lover.

    @[Ilma]@[Baltas] I'm closing the thread! Sunflower, you can post Baltas to any "open/any" thread here in Hyaline, or else start another new thread and someone will post to you here! <333
    [Image: kag]
    dreamweaver




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