"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
The moment her hooves set foot on the ashy soils of Tephra, all she could think about was finding her family. She had been foolish to think she needed anyone else in her life. They had been there from the very beginning, and as she had found out, would be the only ones there in the end...
Her ego is bruised as she returns but she hopes she has not destroyed the bond her and Krom shared. The moment she spots the sheen of his body, her limbs spring into actions. Bringing her swiftly within hearing range, her vocals whicker an excited greeting to him. Lavender ears prick forwards in anticipation of his realization it was her. Watching his emerald dipped head rise from the blades of sea grass, his neck curls to view her. The fire armor surrounding her, dim from the rush of wind created by her quickened gate. "Krom!" She exclaims as she near. Allowing her hunches to buckle into a slide as she comes within colliding range. She hardly cares and nearly runs him over, sliding under his neck and curling around him...
"Karat!" He replies in almost disbelief. It hadn't been a year yet and slightly he wonders what had happened that her return has come so quickly. Especially after their father had went to retrieve her and come home empty handed. He sees she has matured slightly and has a new type of armor than her usual platinum and diamond. The warmth of it would have made any other equine shy from her embrace, but his body is unaffected by the light heat of the flames. His neck arches to pull her into his strong chest with his muzzle. Emerald eyes closing slightly to feel the beat of her heart and the refreshing scent of her flesh...
Her steel body presses into him as he holds her for a moment. She had missed his gentle and protective touches. Lavender lips press a kiss into his cheek when her face curls around to view him, "I missed you Krommie!" The brief reunion is suddenly shattered by guilt that plagues her. Quickly she confesses, "I should have never left... I didn't know what I had until it was gone." Tears begin to pool at the corners of her eyes as she looks into his emerald pools. "Forgive me?" She pleads...
Krom's stance shifts slightly as she leans, bracing her weight with ease. Emerald ears perk forwards at her affections and then flatten with concern as she confesses her regrets. Her emotions run away with her and he is quick to lift his muzzle to brush the tear that begins to trail down her cheek. His deep baritone voice attempts a whisper of assurance, "Of course I forgive you, Karat.... You're my sister, my family." He smiles softly before turning his head to where she had come from. Noticing a gathering that included the winged navy stallion. Concern creases the lines of his face. Whatever had happened, he was sure Warrick would straighten it out, so he wastes no time in escorting Karat further into the heart of the kingdom...
@[Mosrael] maybe you wanna have her come across them traveling across Tephra. Or anyone else is free to insert here. They are back together again and ready to meet new ppl
06-11-2018, 06:52 PM (This post was last modified: 06-11-2018, 06:52 PM by Mosrael.)
Mosrael
i'm way too good at goodbyes
Solitude had gradually become a familiarity within her new life on Tephra. Stuck within it’s boarders, her duty as a mother had tied her to the never-ending fields of volcanic rock and tepid water ways. Everything was different, even the grass’ taste was unfamiliar upon her taste buds. Soot and ash clung to every surface and she felt as though even her once vibrant coat had been tainted by atmosphere. She missed the fresh humidity of Ischia.
Wandering a short distance away from her preferred cave, she kept one ear locked on the sound of her twins at play. Joyfully they bounded just beyond her line of sight, chasing whatever insect had caught their eye. They had been born within the shadow of the volcano, knowing nothing but the harsh landscape they were surrounded by. To them, their world was magical, but Mosrael couldn’t help but imagine them at play within the tropical expanse of Ischia.
The lazy pace of her walk is interrupted by the sound of two unfamiliar voices. Curious, and trusting that her girls wouldn’t wander too far out of reach, Mosrael angled herself towards the sound. Hidden by the partially charred stumps of trees she spotted two young horses wrapped in a reunion. Both horses bore an uncanny resemblance to Klaudius and – Krone? The two individuals were nearly gray with the male sporting green points that contrasted against his sister’s purple. The dainty filly bore a nearly identical shade of lavender as Kove. Dainty and lithe, their parentage was not a question in her mind. She remembered the two foals as they had been before their unexpected exile.
A lump rose up in Mosrael’s throat. She had so many lingering questions and her confusion only grew the longer she remained at Klaudius’ side. As her time there grew longer, she felt in her heart that it would be all too easy for her to move past his flaws and to surrender herself completely to him. Desperately she wanted to believe that he would be true to her, that she could trust him with her heart. Yet, she hesitated.
The sight of his children filled her vision. They stood as the only remaining proof of Krone’s reign. The two hardly seemed to realize that they no longer bore the title of prince and princess. However, if the rumors could be believed, Krone had birthed another set of twins before her untimely death. Of course, the details were sparse, and no one had yet laid eyes upon the foals and Durotan had disappeared shortly after Krone had -. Mosrael sensed that Klaudius knew more than he let on.
Gladly she leaves the remnants of what was a meeting concerning her return. Krom motions forwards and she is quick to remain glued to his side. Having been gone for nearly 8 months, she is curious to know what has taken place here in her absence. It was bitter sweet returning onto the ashy soils knowing she would not find the comfort of her mothers arms. Details had been spared to her of her death and she was content on not receiving them. It didn't matter now...
Lavender eyes seek his as they walk along quietly. A slight smile comes to her pale lips as she feels the slickness of his form along her flesh. Her armor was unneeded here and so she wills it away. Fully embracing the cool hint of his touch. Alongside him now, she could feel safe once again...
As they had just started to travel deeper into the volcanic lands, a sea bonded scent catches within his nostrils. Familiar but foreign, it is laced with acquaintance. Emerald gaze scans the area to find observing eyes. His head rises over his sister to sight in the onlooker. He has yet to see this mare, here. Thinking that maybe he has noticed the bay elsewhere though, he inquires with a deep voice, "Hello there. I am Kromium of Tephra. Have we met?" His crown takes a curious tilt to the side as he tries to recollect a previous meeting. The travel restrictions had been lifted by Warrick, but if this wasn't a resident than perhaps they had ill intentions...
Karat turns to find the spotted equine as well and is quick to meld into her brothers form. Unsure of everyone now, she allows herself to back away and onto Kroms' far side. Looking on from a more secluded location in case something bad came of the interaction...
The pair begin to move away, lost in the eyes of the other. It Is odd to see the exiled prince and princes there, separated from the life that they had been born into. Gentleness among stones, it almost doesn’t feel right. For a moment, Mosrael believed herself to have escaped their notice as they drew ever so slightly further away. Off the surface of the sea, a wind catches her from behind, tossing her silver and black mane about her face. Carried on the breeze, her scent traveled toward the twins and she held her breath expectantly. Her observation of their private moment would no longer be unknown to them and she anticipated their reactions.
The armored colt is the first to pin his gaze upon her. The regality of his movements is stunning and, standing stone still, Mosrael’s head tipped in a silent greeting. There was no way of knowing how she would be received by them. It had been her father’s hand that had seen them dethroned and stripped of their birthright and, ultimately, sent their mother to her untimely death. Now a mother herself, Mosrael’s heart pounded in her chest, broken for the motherless younglings who stood before her. Even despite their misfortune, the appaloosa’d mare knew that it had not been her father’s intention to see Krone submitted to such a fate.
The young stallion’s words reach her, friendly and protective all at once. His sister beside him, lavender tufts nearly identical to Kove’s, almost flinches as the sight of her there. Hiding behind her brother, the two almost appear as one. Their bond is clear and Mosrael can’t help but think upon her own myriad of siblings back on the island.
“Not officially,” she admitted, stepping out from behind the boaldered ridge she’d been situated behind. “My name is Mosrael, once of Ischia. I remember when you both were very small.”
It was strange, admitting such a connection, but the purple spotted mare had nothing to hide or fear. Like them she was powerless against the forces of fate and crowns.
Emerald eyes interrogate the stranger silently. A slight tilt of his metallic skull is given when she makes herself more visible to them. Memories attempt to surface but perhaps they are far too gone to be found. His ears twist back as he steps forward to meet the spotted bay. Leading himself a step from his sister to assess the situation by himself now. Karat remains secluded but not far from his reach if need be. Again his ears rise to listen as the mare answers. He begins to see now why his memories evade him. Most he had known of before Tephra has long since been buried under training and technique. Readying himself for the day his family would need his protection again...
Little does he know that day is to come sooner than later.
"Then we are one and the same here... Each once of Ischia," he nods to her in formal greeting now. Twisting his head slightly to look for Karat, "You'll have to forgive my sister. She has been through a lot recently and has just been returned to us from Ischia." With another switch of focus he finds Mosraels deep eyes, "What brings you to Tephra now?" Obviously the mare knew of their history and the mutiny in Ischia, so he is curious to here what has transpired that she too has left the oasis...
@[Mosrael] If she wants to go once more and then K comes in. I figured it would work best if the twins knew about the twins XD
He is not blind from his place in the sky. Silver gaze finds others nearing and the identifying lilac of his bloodlines marches amongst others. He figures they have brought her home finally.
Remaining collected, his revolution high above any clouds continues as he simply observes the gathering. Another joins but from the distance and his only clue to his arrival is his daughter exclamation and sudden departure from the meeting. Her affections for her brother overrides any care to remain for the discussion of politics that is sure to be transpiring. A shift in his weight brings him to move farther into the kingdom and further examine the reunion of his heirs.
They begin to walk inland where it doesn't take long for another familiar form to begin to linger. He smirks at the sudden appearance of the bay blanketed mare that has bore his other set of twins. The families would soon come together and that is when ideas start to mull in his skull. About how nice it would be to not have to meddle over such trivial things as kingdoms do. To live free from structure set forth by some ruler. Used for the gain of others and not ruler of your own destiny. Yes. This was a future he could see for his family and others of the same mentality.
If he was to present this idea though, they would not be safe here. With a confirming nod to himself, as his wings flap casually at his sides, he decides to act. Tipping downward to earth, he descends effortlessly. Finding a landing space nearby efficient for his large expanse of wings without risk of injury is often hard. With limbs outstretched to plant among the lava rock once again, he settles into a casual walk to join his children and lover...
"Welcome back Karat. I am glad to see you were returned safely..." he states simply before his features turn serious. He continues, "But I am afraid changes are upon us. I am challenging Warrick for Tephra. My hope is for you, Kromium to protect us in a new ideal land. One free of tyrants and positions. A land for all those looking for a place to raise their families away from the political schemes of Beqanna." His eyes meet his sons and then shift to Mosrael, "You must all leave here at once though. It is my suggestion Mos that you return to Ischia with Ketzia and Kove. Hopefully your father allows you and them asylum still." He knows what this challenge may mean, and the outcome to transpire after. That the daughter of Brennen may receive punishment for remaining at his side. So he expects nothing from her and allows her to leave with their daughters. "Krom, take Karat and flee to the Taiga until I come find you. If spring comes and I have not returned do not come find me. Protect your sisters and your family. Promise me you will do this?" He has already lost so much from the failed rule of kingdoms that he cannot bare to think his children could be lost to it as well. So this is what he will fight for on the battlegrounds once more...
That is all he says before he is lifting himself into the skies. This time lower and towards to coast where the younger twins were sure to be frolicking. He would bid them farewell before returning to the skies.
Klaudius
I was lightning, before the thunder
@[Mosrael] Once K has left maybe this thread can move onto where Kove and Ketzia are and they can part ways from there. Ketzia can chose to stay with iron boy too
Kromium's eyes are green steel upon her, making a study every every curve of her face. Standing beneath the cold criticism of his gaze she can't help but wonder upon the thoughts that churned within his iron plated mind. It is hard to see him as the same princely colt that had once traversed the island with oozing confidence. Lacking in hesitance, the young stallion strode confidently forward and she remained firmly planted in place. She contemplated whether or not she saw her father marked upon her features, the stallion that had stolen away their birthright with only a few well placed sentences. Somehow, his youth seemed snatched away as well. Hidden somewhere beneath layers of formality she grieved for him the life he'd lost to the cruel hands of political gain.
When he speaks, his tone is nothing but well practised and polite. Still hidden behind him, Karat is barely visible - making no attempt to follow her brother's actions. She'd just returned from Ischia, Kromium divulged, and curiosity pricked at the front of Mosrael's mind. If the iron clad stallion would allow it, she wondered if she might steal a few moments to ask upon the island and its welfare. Although distanced, she still felt a deep, pure love for her island. His question, however, is enough to distract her from such an attempt.
Thickening in her mouth, words and reason flee from her. How could she possibly explain to the youngling the complexity of her place there among them. There was still so much that she struggled to comprehend, so many questions that Klaudius refused to answer. Just as she was summoning her courage to date his curiosity a familiar voice stole away her words once more.
Approaching them from the side, Klaudius wasted no time on greetings, only daring to welcome Karat back from her time across the sea. He spoke of news lands and their need from protection and of Mosrael's return to Ischia. Something had happened, she realized at once, or was about to happen. Her brow creases as her heart shatters. Just as she felt that there would hope for them, that they could be happy -. He spoke as though he did not intend to return.
Before she could question him, he launched himself into the air veering off to where her ears were trained upon their twins at play. Without another uttered word towards Kromium, she galloped after him.
@[Kromium~Karat] sorry it took so long, I hope this is ok!
