for queen and country - anyone

[Nymphetamine]

Everything was too quick, more bodies appeared and entered the fray. Nymph wasn't even sure who was who and who was friend or foe. the days was growing to a close though it was hard to tell with all the ash in the air. It could have been earlier than he thought. The necromancer had run full force at the Gates dweller, but a shriek and blue blur made him pull up for just a moment. It wasn't until he was walking in the circle that he realized it was Kimber....and her... children?!?!?

He looked around to find where the palomino chamberling was, he needed a moment to deal with this Kimber issue. Spotting the stallion he called out. "Friend, keep this beasty here while I get these chamber kids to safety. Think you can handle it?" It was a request not a command, but he doubted the other stallion would mind, he seem more than eager to join the fray, and extremely capable. His lips tugged into a crooked smile and his body disengaged from the stalking circle, he would deal with the nuisance later.

He quickly turned and ran over to Kimber, the blue mare he hadn't seen in a year, since they had that, erm, encounter not too far away from here. As he neared the mare he had a moment to take in the children, they weren't too young, maybe a year... Nymphetamine stopped and his eyes narrowed as he focused in on them, one had the reddish brown coat and darkened tips as he did... the other was not like him but who knows how magic manipulated Kimbers original coat. He pinned his ear back, eyes flashed with hurt, anger, and an instantaneious fatherly protecton. He looked at the kids, saw the girl who was so like him and frighten, and the boy who looked more shocked than anything else. He then heard the grizzly roar, realizing the other Chamberling has shifted. "Go to the bear, he will protect you. Go, listen to your mother. Now." There was no mistaking his last word, it was commanding and if they didn't move to Siberian, he would drag them there.

As soon as the little ones had moved off he turned back to Kimber. He didn't say a word, the look he gave her was vast and dynamic. The hurt and betrayal of not being told, of missing out on being a father to his child- as he had missed his own father during his. The anger at her for putting them in danger. The fear that they could be hurt, the question of they were his of Warship's. Then finally they settled back to anger. The commotion of war all around him, his voice an angry snarl. "Are. they. mine?" His eyes were aflame with anger pulled from the war, the betrayal, and now this, and their entire focus was on Kimber.

SIX FEET DEEP IS THE INCISION, SUNSETTER

Nymphetamine

[Shaytan]

They’ve never melted in the gas-lit fires of a stove, never had their legs stuck together, twisting and smoking and turning black, black, black. So they can laugh at their poor, addled Priestess all they want, but she’s clearly suffering from some type of PTSD.

Never judge a book by its cover. Even a bunny-killing, slightly obsessive-compulsive cover. Ok? Ok.

A black stallion approaches - he smells like the Chamber, and she is instantly a little calmed. Clearly not everyone is dead yet. She stops and faces him, going from running in circles to just shifting back and forth in agitation. Her tail whips back and forth, and she manages to eke out an “No, I can’t leave,” and then look anxiously back and forth between the fire and the spirit. Then another stallion approaches (dear lord, they had a lot of men in this kingdom), and he is very loud-mouthy and demanding and berates her. Not that any of his words stick, they pretty much just go in one ear and out the other. He’s just bothersome. Like, unless he can put out the other fire, he’s not helping. Her lips quickly crease together into an irritated frown, but again, all she can get out is a “Look, you guys -” And then there’s another one, but this one is just a boy. Good lord. Is this what she is supposed to do? Were some sort of additional duties written into her contract that she didn’t know about? Allay the general public’s fears and/or create a safe area within which to put children?

This war fucking sucks. She wants her privacy back.

Shaytan has never been commanding, and aside from her large and bulky size, she isn’t ever likely to be. This type of situation is not her forte. Hell, not even one-on-one situations are her forte.

And then there’s the smell of blood in the air - only it isn’t her favorite type of blood, it’s horse blood. Welp. That went downhill quick. Her dark eyes flit around again, and land on a buckskin that’s rushing straight at them. Well that won’t do. THIS IS HER GODDAMN TREE OK. The Priestess is about to shoulder the men aside and attack when a lighter stallion comes out of nowhere to attack the buckskin, and the loud-mouthed bay seems to think that he doesn’t need any help to handle this. Ugh, Shaytan thinks. Men and their bravado. If she wanted to, she could pull rank and demand that they stand down. But the sad reality is that she has absolutely no fighting experience and the most she could probably do is take a few solid hits and give a few solid hits and hope that her opponent gets tired of her being so stubborn. Her thoughts have taken her out of reality, but the wail of children brings her reeling back.

Now, Shaytan is not the mothering type. She was absolutely wretched with Sayaa (but after a rape like that, can you blame her?) and has since avoided childbirth like the plague. But in this sitauation, all things considered, she can try her best. Putting on her Authoritative Voice, she yells over the commotion to the panicking foals, “You, kids! Get over here!” And then WHAT THE FUCK, first stallion is a bear and even though she knows he’s on their side, she thinks that if she were foals, she miiiiiiight not want to go running towards a bear. So what to do? She turns her gaze back towards the ever merrily flickering tree, and makes a little wish. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. Either way, the flames seem to come alive and twist into the form of a bird, while little tiny flamelets in the shape of mini birds drop to the ground. It sheds light on the group, though the clearing smoke, and serves as a beacon for those who might be able to see it. The Chamber still stands. Fight on.

shaytan

when people run in circles, it's a very, very mad world

- Shaytan reacts to all the ponies
- calls to the kids to come to safety
- makes the tree's flames twist into the shape of a bird as a inspirational sort of thing

[R A P S C A L L I O N]

I can not be forsaken, cause I'm not the only one

It becomes clear that he will have a harder time attacking the adults now, with five of them in close proximity but Rapscallion was hurting deeply - someplace he doesn't know how to describe. "Rapscallion." he says hastily and cow kicks at the grizzly-horse and then again at the female. The filly manages to escape but the colt whimpers as the buckskin latches onto his withers and coerces him on the way with him. If the Chamber could steal his Queen and murder his lady, surely they wouldn't mind the child as a return. "I'll take this one with me, what a fine Gates member he will make - good riddance to you," he says and the boy looks to him, fear racing through his face. Rapscallion would normally not even bother with children but this was likely his ticket to escape at this point. He pulls the black colt alongside him and eyes the mother and perhaps the father? He is not sure the bay man's attachment to the children. "Mama, sister!" the colt cries but follows without much hesitation. Rapscallion makes a significant distance from the group when he sees the blue mare approaching close behind.

Some bitches are just stupid.

He reaches over and bites on the child's ear, tugging him to come with him faster but the child hesitates as Rapscallion clamps harder - the cartilage breaking down like over chewed fat in his mouth. The mother is catching up to the two of them and he finally releases the child and rears to crash down on him and kill him. The colt falls to the ground and Rapscallion takes off towards the shadows to regroup and attack with larger numbers. He thinks now about how he could have been so great, perhaps a good King had he tried - even his own King had not come to this fight. Maybe Rapscallion has always just had the fate of being in the wrong place and the wrong time.

R A P S C A L L I O N

The deadbeat from the Gates

Rapscallion cannot control both children, Vessel makes it to Shaytan/Siberian, he captures Vaughan.
Sees Kimber coming, attacks Vaughan - Vaughan will permanently have flashbacks from this and will also have a floppy ear that may or may not fall off.

Time to murder Rapscallion (group effort or Nymph) and powerplay all you want. Here is his last in character post.

[Zayn]

At the very last moment a blue mare appears in front of him, blocking him and taking the full force of his charge. “Fuck!” What a bloody idiot. He grimaces as he realizes that it’s fucking Kimber, of all people. His irritation does lesson a little though - bitch shouldn’t have gotten in the way.

As he spins away from the mess, keeping an eye on the wretched Gates soldier, the bay stallion calls out to him. Zayn throws him a cocky smirk. “Zayn. You are?”

But bloody Kimber is moving again, and Zayn finally realizes why she’s here. Kids.

Now, Zayn is a bastard at the best of times, but even he isn’t particularly pleased at the thought of Chamber children getting hurt (even if they are Kimber’s). The thought strikes a little too close to home (what with his own children being so close by). He’s considering how to best herd the little turds towards the flaming tree and away from the buckskin, when the bay stallion decides to take on the task himself.

“Sure thing.” He focuses in on the buckskin, a sneer tearing across his pale face as the bay (in the corner of his eye) wrangles one of the children (a bay filly) towards Siberian, now in bear form (FINALLY, his little apprentice is doing something useful). But he’s too late - the buckskin latches on to the colt’s withers, attempting to drag him away. “No you don’t!” He breaks into a canter, charging the stallion yet again, trying to keep an eye on Kimber who’s once again threatening to get in the way.

Kimber gets there first, just in time for the buckskin to clamp down on the boy’s ear. Kimber rears up and lashes out, and finally the stallion releases the boy in an attempt to protect himself.

“GET OUT OF THE WAY!” Zayn bellows at Kimber as he barrels towards them. He just manages to miss her, and his attack hits his mark, causing Zayn to stumble but sending the buckskin stallion sprawling in the dirt. He doesn’t stop there - the pale stallion rears up, striking at the buckskin again and again and again. After a few blows, blood begins to spray out, dying Zayn’s pale chest the same colour as his eyes.

When he’s sure that there’s no fight left in the stallion he steps back to survey his handiwork. A little smirk crawls across his face at the sight of the damage - part of the buckskin’s nose is caved in, and one of his front legs is at an odd angle, with bone white poking out of the golden coat. Somehow though the creature is still alive.

He glances back at the bay, considering. There’d been a distinct similarity between him and the little filly. If someone had done that to one of his children, if someone had done that to Waylan … well, he would’ve wanted to strike the killing blow. “Want to do the honours?”

ZAYN

I'm an ugly mess

[Siberian]

The Gates stallion manages to disentangle himself from his fight with Zayn and the others, bolting towards Siberian and his charges.  Siberian finds himself being kicked at by Rapscallion, distracting him long enough for the buckskin to single out the colt and drag him away.  With a low growl, he swipes out with a paw, but his claws only manage to slide, briefly but hopefully still painfully, against the invader's hind leg instead of managing a firm hold upon him.  Kimber and Zayn are in rapid pursuit of the foal and his kidnapper, but the Budyonny follows after a quick glance to be sure that the filly and the priestess are safe, that nothing else has come to threaten them.  He sees the buckskin rearing up, sees the colt falling as if he had been given a deathblow, sees the battle resume as the small group of Chamberlings catch up to Rapscallion a short distance from where the boy lay.  The bear rumbles jealously in Siberian's head as he watches the palomino sabino strike down the buckskin in turn, but its desire for joining in the carnage is held at bay by his concern for the fallen foal, even before Zayn invites Nymphetamine to strike the killing blow.  He is at the colt's side now, gently nosing at him to check his condition.  The little black foal is breathing, and not raggedly.  

Had he simply been clever enough to literally drop out of harm's way before the worst could happen?  Siberian frowns as he notes the condition of the bitten ear, but is relieved to not see any other major injuries.  "Hey, it's alright.  You're safe now, he's not going to hurt you anymore, not ever.  " Not after the skull reconstruction handed out by his warden's hooves, that is.  He extends a paw, razor claws carefully tucked down against the leathery paw pad to not risk hurting the colt any further, offering support to the boy if he needs help getting back to his feet.  As he looks again at the mangled ear, Siberian slips a little further down that mental slope towards where the bear endlessly waited with its red thoughts.  He may have struck down Fiasko, but she had still been an adult.  This, this cruel capture and wounding of an innocent child, done by a member of a kingdom that was supposed to be "good".  And they believed themselves to hold the moral high ground? They were nothing but the hypocrites he had heard them called to be.  Once the boy is back up on all four hooves, the bear-shifter looks back towards Rapscallion's body with narrowed eyes, growling softly under his breath.  He keeps back though, knowing that the right to claim the buckskin's life belonged to another.  Zayn had said so.

Siberian

The sexy grizzly boy of Beqanna

[Nymphetamine]

The amount of emotional overload that had built up within the reddish necromancer was to the point of being dangerous. He was about to snap and right now he was focused on his one-time lover, Kimber. Not that she deserved to have the full force but she had hidden a very important fact from him, one he intended to find an answer to. It wasn't that the stallion didn't have other kids, He had been with Killgore not too long ago and another mare, whose name he doesn't remember. It had been different with Kimber, they were not soulmates, but there was a connection there. So these kids felt different. The blue mare hadn't answered fast enough, and Nymph ground his teeth with as much force he could stand, "The girl... is she mi-"

His words were cut off by a scream and thundering hooves, his attention was torn from the blue mare, he quickly scanned to find what had happened. Rapscallion had the colt, what was his name, Vaughan and Siberian struck at the buckskin, a moment too late was unsuccessful at a deep cut. Eyes dart frantically for the other child, the one he was so sure was his, and he sees she is safely by Shaytan. (He didn't know the priestess well, but it seemed like an odd time were the bunny-killer would be the safe keeper, and it would be a relief.) His body is moving already, as his head whipped back to Rapscallion and the young hostage. As he ran he mentally commanded his invisible raven who he had sent to circle above to stay with Vessel, and guard her. His legs thundered beneath him, the slender stallion was built for speed and he was glad for it in this moment. Before him, he saw Zayn gain on the abuser as he discarded the child, and then victoriously crash into him.

Nymphetamine didn't slow until he was next to the other stallion, witnessing him crash down again and again on the beast. A viciously wicked grin grew over the necromancer, and it only widened as Zayn asked him to finish the deed. "It would be an honor I'd gladly take, thank you." The bay stilled, and mentally reached out to the ever present feeling of the dead below their feet. The feeling was hard to describe, but it was like the nagging feeling that someone was watching, just out of sight. He sought it out, and took hold, pulling the death back to the world of the living. He continued this, over and over. Usually, he only brought back two or three, but for the death, he wanted for Rapscallion he needed more. It was mentally taxing and physically draining, he would be weak for a time after this but it was worth it.

The ground shook, lightly at first. It was a minor thing, but as the necromancer did his work, the ground round Rapscallion rippled, bulged up and crumbled, the ground shaking harder as Nymphetamine forced the process into faster grander fruition. He wanted the event to be unsettling for the beast who had attacked his assumed children. After another second the surface of the before him was scattered with rotten rancid carcasses. Nymphetamine didn't move from his spot, he couldn't; commanding that many corpses was extremely difficult for him. He conjured the risen dead into a circle around the Gates resident. The hollow-eyed bones moved in, stomping the downed beast, tearing at his flesh. The pulled chunks of skin and muscle away at a time Each beast relentless in their onslaught. The buckskin screamed and attempted to thrash, and shimmy away. IT was no use, Zayn had broken his leg and the dead were too quick to tear more away for him to move.

The blood bay's breath came quicker now with the effort and he was starting to sweat. He stilled the attack of his minions and reveled in the whimpering of his enemy. "I'll make sure Mast knows of your cowardice. Of how you used a child, an innocent, as only the lowest and weakest of creatures would. Enjoy hell." With that his eyes wide - and crazed with anger and the effort of his endeavor the commanded the beasts back to the ground, except for two. The final two grabbed hold of the buckskin by his legs and dragged him down, down through the loose displaced dirt, down through the layers of sandy loam, down to the dark abyss that would be his final resting place. Again the ground shook as it shifted to make space for the corpses, and it grew weaker as they returned to their respective resting places. The only sign of the event was the chunks of muscle and the loose soil before Nymph.

The blood bay was drenched, and his breath was quick and jagged. His legs were shaking slightly. He stood still, taking in the moment. He was a new five and had just killed for the first time. He didn't regret it, but it was something to process just the same. As he tried to let his body recuperate, his mind went to Gates to Mast and the first conversation he ever had. Mast made a big to do about how morally disgusting Chamber was, and how those that live in the Gates were morally right, or better. How can Mast have himself on such high ground about being the morally better kingdom when Rapscallion did what he did?

Nymph shook his head and turned away from the bloody scene before him. His legs buckled and he tripped and fell to his knees. Slowly he righted himself and made his way back to the gathering of Chamberlings. He found the blue mare and moved to her. Exhausted he leaned against Kimber using her to support the muscles that didn't want to hold him upright. It wasn't any romantic thing, but it was a gesture he appreciated; which he acknowledged with a small nudge to the blue mare's neck. He looked at the kids, but spoke to Kimber, "They're ok? You don't have to admit they're mine, but I won't believe you if you say no anyway."

He let the others talk for a minute trying to gather strength though he would be useless for a little while. He remembered then he hadn't thanked Zayn, Siberian, and Shaytan. He lifted his head, to shoulder height, "Zayn, Thank you for taking on Rapscallion, you are a fierce warrior. Siberian and Shaytan- thank you for keeping the children safe. I didn't mean to be a...douche earlier." his mouth curled into a small smirk. For the moment it was only Chamber-dwellers, but who knew what else was coming their way. Nymph needed to find a healer or find cover, otherwise he was a sitting duck.

SIX FEET DEEP IS THE INCISION, SUNSETTER

Nymphetamine

[Kimber]

I need to be redeemed to the one I've sinned against,
because he's all I ever knew of love...

Kimber's entire life had just spun out of control in the last few hours between trying to fight in a war, keep her children safe and stretch herself between two men. The blue mare rushes to her son's side, coaxing him up with tears welling in her eyes but she pulls them back as he slowly wakes. She tries to guard him from seeing Zayn attacking the Gates member but like the tide ebbs and flows, you can hear the blood and bones cracking and sputtering onto the ashened ground. Mama, wha- she stomps her foot and urges him to join with Shaytan and Siberian. She notes his disorientation and that his left ear is hanging low as compared to his other - hopefully it wouldn't affect him as an adult.

Before she can even regain her composure, Nymph is with Zayn and has risen the dead. The bay is angry and she knows that some of that anger is displaced, some of his anger was really intended for her. She pushes herself to Nymph's side as she herself is weak but must rejoin the rest of the battle soon. She can only hope that the children will be safe with Siberian and Shaytan as she does so but for now she realizes that Nymph is growing weak, he begins to shake and as much as Kimber disliked him she cared for him just as much. Unfortunately she was no healer and the Amazonian Jungle mare had their healer tied up - all she could do was be a shoulder for him and she is, her bloody chin reaching out to touch the bay's, her breath is hot and her nostrils slowly start to return to a normal size. She feels some comfort in the time of war, even if for a small moment. It doesn't last long because Nymph cannot leave things alone, he must press until he gets an answer; particularly one he wants. The honest truth was Kimber couldn't be sure who fathered the children, Warship or Nymph, both looked strikingly like each respective father. Neither child had met either man so that would be a more awkward conversation. Such a tulmultuous time in the blue mare's life and it would soon, unbeknowst to her, grow to be more troublesome. "Nymph, I don't know whose they are, okay?" she says, disgruntled because no one likes to admit they've been with multiple men in one night, especially to lose their virginity for pete's sake. "Vaughan might be yours, he doesn't listen very well and is always pushing his luck. Vessel is a little more like the other potential father in terms of attitude... " she says, side eyeing the bay as she moves away slowly, not knowing if he had blew off enough steam to keep from being angry. She'd prefer her children only witness a stranger being beaten until a pulp, not their mother, too.

With seeing Nymph all she can think of is how guilty it makes her feel - of the night they shared, the fruitations of that night and now her failure of making a family unit. She had been so worried, not having a mother herself, that she forgot to include it's important to have a father. There isn't much time to deliberate though, war is upon them and though the blue mare would find any excuse to exit a hard conversation, an emotional conversation - she is needed. "Shaytan, Siberian - I owe you for watching over the children, Zayn, thank you for saving my son," she says with a look that expresses much more than she can verbally; she is indebted to them, "Nymph, I..." she says, breathy with a softness never shown before, "I can't repay you but I hope I see you later, I really do." She looks to their children then and back to the bay stallion as her bruised and bloody body takes her back into the thick of the war.

Will she always be choosing between Nymph and Warship - or her inability to do so?

Kimber

[Zayn]

As he takes down the bastard soldier, Siberian quickly rushes in to check on the colt. While he’s irritated the boy’s instinct’s do not involve backing him up, he’s glad that at least someone has taken it upon themselves to check on the child. Better Siberian than him.

Once the deed is all but done he steps back and lets the bay do his work. And he’s instantly glad that he and the stallion are on the same side. His power is a fearsome thing. The ground shakes beneath Zayn’s feet … and the dead rise to kill the buckskin stallion.

Zayn steps back, the smell of death and rot filling his nose. He watches, impassive, as the buckskin stallion is torn limb from limb. If Zayn had been a softer soul it would have made him sick, but he is not.

After nothing is left of the buckskin stallion, the bay turns to check on Kimber and the children, and finally turns his attentions back to Zayn himself, along with Siberian and the spotted mare. “Not a problem.” He bows his head to the stallion, then turns to look at Kimber, who … thanks him, of all things. He never thought he’d see the day. Rather a far cry from their first meeting.

He finds, awkwardly, that he doesn’t know what to say, so he simply bows his head as he had to the bay stallion.

Then, finally, he turns to Siberian. “We should join the greater battle.” He has no doubt the Chamber could make use of them, especially Siberian. “Come.” Then he turns away in the direction of the fight.

ZAYN

I'm an ugly mess

[Siberian]

Siberian watches with concern as Nymphetamine leaves the spot where the dead had torn into the Gates stallion and back towards the group, reeling and barely able to keep himself upright.  Quite a taxing ability, that necromancy.  He's just as glad to have the trait that he does, instead...it didn't drain his energy yet was still quite useful in battle.  On the other hand, the dead didn't argue with their summoner, as the bear in his head was wont to do, so Nymph had the advantage there.  The Budyonny is thanked, by both the bay stallion and the blue mare, something he had not quite expected even though it was a natural reaction for them now that the children were completely safe.  He ducks his shaggy head briefly in acknowledgement, murmuring a "you're welcome" to them, as something else he hadn't expected, happens.  He feels pride, feels the "warm and fuzzies" that he had heard described by his birth family but never actually felt until now.  Killing Fiasko, that had not been something he was proud of, but helping to look after the young Chamberlings and keeping them safe (mostly), being appreciated for it, that was a pleasure.

The moment doesn't last long, as Zayn approaches, seeming to be actually at a loss for words when the pair thanks him as well.  That was yet another new thing, to see his master's silver tongue fail him, though the young stallion carefully keeps his face neutral, hiding his slight amusement.  He still feels the further change in himself though, the feelings of comradery binding him ever tighter to the ranks of the Chamber.  The palomino sabino turns to him now, calling him to war.  For the first time in their time together, the Budyonny doesn't protest or drag his feet in response to a command.  He feels the same eagerness as the bear does; both halves of him in agreement that the invaders must be driven out of their home, so that the Chamber's children would be kept safe from further harm.  He pauses briefly to look back at the scene they are leaving behind: Nymph leaning against Kimber, the two foals, Shaytan still keeping close to the fiery tree she was devoted to, the bloody spot where Rapscallion had met his end.  The bear-shifter doesn't linger for long, however, not wanting an angry scolding for failing to keep up, and hurries to catch up with Zayn.

Siberian

The sexy grizzly boy of Beqanna