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    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


    The Dale will get stronger [Any]
    #1
    the words she knows the tune she hums

    Zaravich has been apart of the Dale for a couple of seasons, between visiting the field and meadow she has yet to meet anyone other than Weir. She gets slightly depressed that the dale is so quiet as the mare is so active. Although she will shortly have something to give the kingdom. A foal of her own, through careless meeting in the fields the mare has found herself pregnant. She was unsure if she would ever see the stag who courted her again and now she was terrified to raise a child on her own. She was afraid of what weir, her only friend, would think of her when he hears the news. Keeping this to herself for the time being would be her best option, soon she couldn't keep it a secret, but for now she could. 

    The mare picked up a canter and moved around the dale flawlessly, her tail was flicked in the air effortlessly. She wanted to run and never stop, once the life inside her was ready to come out she would be to uncomfortable to run. She gave a whinny wondering if Weir, or anybody was around to give her company. Zara would be staying in the Dale for most of her pregnancy in fear of an attack. Slowing to a halt she gave another whinny hoping someone would come to her call. 

    Zaravich
    the tiny dancer
    Reply
    #2
    The battle plays out in his mind every night.

    While he sleeps in the comfort of home, his body stirs and his mind trembles. He relives the fighting, sees the blood and the flames falling around him as if he was there in the Chamber. He sees Weir opened and splayed, his heart still beating in his open ribcage, his merry laughter still echoing alongside the crackle of the fires. He watches Joscelin burn from within, her light brightening until she combusts into a million little pieces. He feels the hooves raining down on him, enemies crowding him from all sides, their blows endless and devastating. Death watches Ramiel as he finally submits to the fighting. As he falls, the scythe falls too, closer to his neck. At the last moment (he can feel the sting of metal at his throat; he cannot avoid it), Death smiles at him. Mine, He says. Mine as before. Mine eternal.

    He wakes and still feels Death’s eyes on him.

    Ramiel doesn’t sleep well, and his healing follows suit. His shoulder is still a ragged mess from where Demian’s fire burned him down to the muscle. When he walks, he pulls apart the skin that has begun to knit itself together again, re-starting the healing process over and over. The other burns, the small peppering of stray sparks across his body, have nearly disappeared under his lengthening monochrome coat. Fall makes the land bleed in an entirely different way as the leaves turn from bright emerald to coppery crimson. Winter will soon be upon them, and Ramiel starts to wonder if he’ll have to limp through the piles of Dalean snow.

    Today is not so bleak, however. The sun streams down across the browning hills of home, casting long shadows that point towards the west. It is still early – early enough to put some real work behind him if he’s so inclined – but he lingers in his exhaustion. From his shelter under a towering hill-top pine, Ramiel watches the rest of the kingdom come to life. A sudden movement catches his eye; a black blur races across the field just below him. It brings an easy smile to his face. After the war, life goes on. Horses come to the Dale seeking a home as they always have. This newcomer testing her mettle and speed against the wind is affirmation that all is not lost, even after terrible violence. Life goes on, even if he will be forever changed.

    It takes a terribly long time to reach the mare (once she’s stopped and let loose a whinny) but eventually he does. He wrangles the painful grimace into a genuine smile. “Hello, I’m Ramiel.” The grey and gold king notices the slight bulge at her sides. It has been far too long since the Dale witnessed a birth on its soil; he hopes she stays and provides it come spring. “Are you new here?” A cool breeze sweeps down from the North and he is reminded again that winter is not far off. If this mare is new and plans on staying, he will have to warn her of the impending weather – Dalean winters are their own brand of harsh beauty. “Forgive me if not. I’ve been away from home for a while.”



    R A M I E L
    this is a man pulling at his iron chains
    Reply
    #3
    the words she knows the tune she hums

    The mare was standing allowing the wind to take control of her mane and tail, it was nice to have the comfort of nature when she was living a life of solitude. She had bare contact with others from the Dale,in fact it has been a while since she has seen her friend Weir and wondered for his safety.

    Her attention was quickly taken when she heard a voice, startling the mare she leaped to the right, before taking a gander at the stockier stag. He was dark in color and had what appeared to be gold highlights in his tail and mane. This horse carried himself with pride, could this be the leader of this kingdom? Zara could not remember if Weir had given the rulers name, and he certainly did not give a description.She perked up with joy as there was life other than her own in the Dale! Another soul she could speak to that would reply! This was so exciting to her, it was a horse other than Weir, the only other one she has seen.

    The stag approached and began to converse with her, he introduced himself as Ramiel, he asked her if she was from around here and that he had been away from home. He spoke as if he was the ruler, and with the pride he carried in himself she lowered her right leg tucking it beneath her stomach, her head followed tucking her nose into her chest, dipping a bow to her ruler. She lifted herself up before speaking "Hello Ramiel, I am Zaravich. I have been here for a couple of seasons now, Weir brought me." she paused to gaze over the stag who was rather charming in looks. She grew a smile on her face and paced around him, letting her tail stroke his side until she appeared on the now opposite side of Ramiel that she started on. She was curious to were the stag had been, but did not care to pry. "Are these your lands Ramiel?" she asked wanting confirmation he was the king.  

    Zaravich
    the tiny dancer
    Reply
    #4
    The stillness is home to him.

    This mare will come to know the quiet of the Dale, should she choose to remain. It is pervasive and equated with the mountainous land; it is all he’s known since his childhood. But rather than scorn the silence that curls like fog through the pines, Ramiel relishes it. Other than his comfort in it, he finds it makes the noise all the more enjoyable when it fills the land. They have always been a small kingdom, after all. Nobody expects the Dale to be as bustling as the Amazons or to grow a reputation as infamous as the Chamber. This doesn’t mean they have escaped the drama, though - they’ve had their fair share of it over the decades. But their response has always been to lapse back into the quiet comfort of Dalean sanctuary at the conclusion of chaos. It’s written in their stories; it’s based in their blood.

    And it suits him, more than perhaps it should.

    The woman before him jumps at the rumble of his voice. Too quiet, he thinks, she’s nearly left her skin behind in her fright. “Sorry,” he says easily, dipping his head to give her time to compose herself. If a simple ‘hello’ can scare the living daylights out of the residents, what does it say about their reluctance to engage with each other? Fortunately, changes will come with the spring. It is time to build from within now that the war is behind them.

    Zaravich, as he soon learns her name, is only the beginning of this rebuilding. She’s petite and pretty (not requirements to fill his new quota, but aspects the young man notices nonetheless) and quickly recovers from her scare. Her face illuminates, even under the weakened autumn sun, and he finds himself smiling in return. But when she begins to bow, he protests, shaking his head lightly. “Please, there is no need – I am happy to make your acquaintance.” And he is, more than happy. Because while he doesn’t mind the silence, it has perhaps lingered too long without pause. Faces have begun to disappear without promise of returns, taking the familiar reassurance of their voices with them into the gloom. He thinks of his parents, Exemplary, Kellyn, Elysteria.

    Not Weir, thankfully. Zaravich mentions his name and Ramiel’s smile grows again. “I have no doubt his tour was both gracious and informative – perhaps even exhaustingly so?” The grey and gold stallion laughs under his breath but eyes the girl all the same. He is always curious to see how receptive others are to Weir’s odd ways. Of course, their opinions hardly matter to him - Ramiel would be the first in line to defend his strange but loyal mentor.

    “They are,” he says in response to the mare’s question. “My lands and your’s, if you want them to be. We are like a family here.” He looks once over the hills rolling away from them, dipping into the low-point of the river below. Its’ surface sparkles; standing along its shore is his favorite place to be in the entire kingdom, he thinks he’ll go to it once this conversation ends. War had taken him away from too much: his hideouts, his home, his family. More than anything, though, he’s glad to have his mind returned to him. Too many nights were spent wondering, worrying. Now that it’s over, he feels free of many (but not all) of his burdens. “Are you looking to live or work here? Or both? You are welcome either way.”


    R A M I E L
    this is a man pulling at his iron chains


    ooc: just let me know if/where you want her on the board! =)
    Reply
    #5
    the words she knows the tune she hums

    The mare enjoyed the company of this stallion, it was hard being in the Dale and needing socialization as much as Zara desired. This stallion had a calmness to him that distracted her from her hyper personality and she didn't find the need to continuously dance around him. She found herself lost in him, she was curious to his personality and his life before she was around. She had heard mentions of a war that Dale was in, and that could perhaps explain the lack of members in the kingdom. 

    Ramiel was quick to reject Zaras bow, she had never met a royal who did not want a horse to bow at there presence. It sent butterflies through her body, she had truly found a kingdom that she could see herself in for a long time to come. Ramiel had asked her about her encounter with Weir and she perked up with joy, her energy had returned reliving the memory and she had pranced until she reached the opposite side of the stallion "Weir was wonderful! He showed me creatures that he created with snow! And Darwin his turtle soul?!" she laughed still confused about Darwin, she was sure Ramiel was used to Darwin, his snow even. The mare came from non magical lands so it was a new world to have some able to control weather, although some horses might fear these godly powers, she was interested in them. 

    Zara smiled when the stag called these lands her home. She was unfamiliar to the kindness this Kingdom had offered. She found herself wanting to lean against the stallion with comfort but knew it would be wrong as they had just met. She was struck with a sadness, she was bulging from her pregnancy and could not deny the fact that a foal would be in the kingdom soon. Would her outrageous act of finding herself pregnant to a stallion she may never see again ever be forgivable? will a stallion ever love her and a foal that is not theirs? She did not know the reaction of the horses on these lands, but they were unspeakable in her old home. Hiding her uneasyness she responded "I would love to stay at the Dale so long as you allow me to" she gave a quick nicker prancing slightly to the right with joy "I am not sure what jobs I could hold, I dont recall Weir explaining them much?" she was curious to the offering. 

    Zaravich
    the tiny dancer


    OOC: I will definitely have her be in the diplomat caste. I didn't see a promotion system at the Dale so you can place her wherever you please! :p
    Reply
    #6
    He doesn’t know the extent of the mare’s hyper nature, of course. There are few with personalities like hers’ that choose to reside within the mountain lands. Perhaps she won’t enjoy the silence as much as the rest of the kingdom does. Maybe she will grow bored of their stretches of quiet and find another swath of soft grass to rest her feet on at night. Or perhaps it is exactly her exuberance that the Dale needs these days. Recovering from a multi-kingdom war will not be easy or happen overnight; they all need to heal, and forging ahead with as much joy and positivity as one can muster will surely expedite the process.

    Yes, he thinks Zaravich will fit right into their small family.

    “Weir is quite the character all right.” Ramiel’s mouth curves as he imagines the red roan leading the newest mare around, showing her the sights and teaching her about every bit of flora and fauna they come across. He is surprised Zaravich has not excused herself from the conversation in order to recover. Instead, she seems to want more information on the snow-man. Ramiel is more than happy to oblige her curiosity. “He is a man of endless knowledge and talents both. Darwin is actually his soul in visible form.” The ghost-king pauses, gauging her reaction to see if she is receptive enough to the idea for him to continue. When she doesn’t snort or take off for the border, he assumes it is safe for him to explain further.

    “When one commits to the Dale, they become full-fledged members and are able to see their own souls in our sacred springs up in the mountains. Once you drink from the pools, your spirit appears and can emerge from the water.” Ramiel glances at the black woman’s face briefly, wondering what she thinks of the magic, wondering if she believes him. He is certain it must sound strange to those who hail from the outside lands. Would he believe her, if their positions were reversed? “If you choose to stay, it would be my honor to take you to the springs myself, if it is something you are interested in.”

    At that moment, Ramiel’s own spirit flies overhead. Its’ V shape cuts through the air but doesn’t send a shadow racing along the ground. The spirit-vulture descends and lands on the stallion’s back with practiced ease. He doesn’t feel the dig of non-corporeal talons on his back, but its presence is felt regardless. Zaravich confirms that she will stay, and Ramiel’s smile grows again. “I’m so glad to hear that. The Dale will be fortunate to have both of you, come spring.” His golden eyes find her swollen belly pointedly before he looks back at the mother-to-be. “We have two castes here. You may join the peace caste and become a diplomat, where the focus is on negotiations within and outside of the kingdom. Or you may join the army, where your responsibilities include defending our home and its people in times of crisis. Or you can join both. Are you drawn to either of these duties?”


    R A M I E L
    this is a man pulling at his iron chains
    Reply
    #7
    the words she knows the tune she hums


    Zaravich looked around her horizon, she has grown to love this kingdom. It was not what she desired in the beginning of her journey, and although the kingdom is quiet all the horses she has come across have been kind and accepting of her, even though she was a non magic horse. The mares eyes grew wide as Ramiel explained Darwin, and that every horse that belonged to the Dale got a spirit animal. this was bewildering to Zara, and amazing at the same time. As she took a breath to ask the stallion where his spirit was (as it had not been present yet) it swooped down from the sky and landed on his back. A vulture, she looked in amazement. She was fascinated with the birds who flew gracefully in the sky above them. It seemed fitting that the king had a spirit animal so well matched to his personality. 

    The king expressed his enjoyment of Zaras stay, but he said you two, acknowledging he was aware of the foal inside of her. It shouldn't have been surprising, it was a secret she could not have kept forever. She gave a smile "I would love to have you escort me to the springs, it sounds like a thrilling experience!" the mare flicked her tail and pranced around the stallion until she was on the opposite side. She had a lack of energy since she was farther along in her pregnancy, but the sound of having her own spirit animal made her dance and feel free again. She lurked with a smile as he explained the Castes to her, although the mare would fight if she needed to, with a new foal on the way it was not a job she should be keeping. "Ramiel, I will of course join a Caste, I love talking to others so I think being a diplomat will come naturally to me!" she gave a small smile confirming her decision to become a diplomat. 

    Zaravich
    the tiny dancer
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