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Post by Tidfe on Jun 9, 2014 17:23:38 GMT -8
Cain was happy when the cub took the meat. Not so happy when he took a finger along with the meat. Great. Just what he needed, a lost bone in a world were probably the only human bones were still on the living. Somehow he doubted anyone would be willing to give up a finger bone for him. The question about gifts went unanswered except for a gesture towards the bundle up sack still on the sands. "My gift is in that. Didn't have much time to properly wrap it, but..." He trailed, ending with a shrug. It was just an old wig of his. Since no one had yet to try and make off with his head for what he was, Cain decided he didn't need the fake hair anymore. What a Eld'rani would with it...That was a completely different question all together.
He was just about to debate the wisdom of wrestling the Hyper Imp for his finger when the cub brought him the bone back of his own accord. If Cain had eyelids, he would have blinked in surprise. Picking up the bone, he replaced it back on his hand. "Um...No..." What a silly proposal. Though maybe it wasn't so silly. Ignoring the other cubs (though he did see the one that Xel had his tail in front of bite it, he had warned the half demon), he walked back over to the meat sack and pulled out two handfuls of meat. Bringing it back to his charge, he held them both out to the Imp. "How much you willing to bet," Cain called after Duzell. Not that milk wouldn't be a good idea and Duzell was right. The sooner the cubs were feed, the better off they were.
Thank Death they could eat mostly solid food at least.
Watching the other cubs now, he decided that after this feeding, he would go help milk the cows. Not that they would take to him any better than the cubs, but at least if he got kicked in the head, there was no brains there to scramble up.
Ooc: 100 Word Challenge: 350 words Proposal
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Post by Duzell on Jun 9, 2014 22:00:49 GMT -8
Duzell saw that the knight had the gotten the milk situation under control. Good, that was out of the way and those cubs were being taken care of, at least for the moment. He turned his attention back to the others. The one he had brought meat to was complaining that he couldn’t eat it. That was easy enough to fix. Duzell knelt down and slowly pulled his pocket knife out of his coat. He cut the meat into more manageable pieces and carried some of it off to the other cub, the girl that he had completely forgot about last time. He felt quite bad about that. He placed the small chunks of meat in front of her. “Sorry about that, little one.”
Duzell decided the best use of his time was to ferry food to the cubs. He walked back over to the bag and retrieved more of the meat, cut it into smaller chunks and carried them around to each of the non-milk drinking cubs. He set some down next to the cub that looked like she was sleeping. Gods, he hoped she was just sleeping. She looked to be breathing; her small chest was drifting up and down. He wanted to nudge her, make sure she was alright, but he knew he wasn’t allowed to touch. Reluctantly, he left her and went to go see what else needed to be done.
Now onto the problem of a gift. Duzell absently rifled through the pockets of his coat searching for something that would be acceptable. What did cubs want anyway? They were… kind of like cats back home, right? His landlord had kept a few cats in his house but all those cats ever seemed to want was to scratch him and get stuck in trees. On second thought maybe the less like those cats these were the better. None of them had ever seemed to like him and he was hoping these cubs wouldn’t feel the same.
Duzell fiddled with the only interesting thing he had found in all his many pockets. He slipped his pocket watch out of his left pocket and inspected it carefully. Aside from his knife, his pocket watch was the only interesting thing he had. He was, however, very reluctant to give it up. He had had it quite literally longer than he could remember. It was beautiful, all gold and shiny and always told perfect time. Not that that necessarily meant anything here. Time might run very differently here than it did back home. As he approached the dragon, Duzell almost changed his mind and gave his knife as a gift for the cubs instead. It held none of the sentimental value his watch did and yet it was his only means of protecting himself. No, the knife he needed to survive in this strange world. With a sigh Duzell carefully placed the watch down next to the other gifts. “I hope one of them appreciates it.” Duzell muttered to no one in particular. He chuckled to himself. “I’m giving them all my time.”
OOC: 500 word challenge, 519 words, drift(ed), tree(s), absently
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Post by Amerlan on Jun 9, 2014 22:51:38 GMT -8
((This is NOT the next rounds posting. This is Amerlan coming into the mix))
Moaning Amerlan held on tight to Soreth. She thought he had flown fast before, but that was child's play to the speeds they were hitting now. Screaming through their mental link Amerlan was livid with Soreth, "Why in the hell are we going this fast! What could possibly be so important?!"
Soreth snorted mentally and did not ease up on his speed. They were still a good distance from the sands and they needed to be there now. He had only caught the tail end of Torths communication and hadn't deemed it of highest importance. It wasn't until later, when he received a message from another Dragon wondering why his bonded wasn't there, that he realized what was going on. "There are cubs that need homes. Torth, another Dragon, killed their mother and they are in bad shape. They need humans to bond with and nurse them back to health."
Amerlan internally cursed herself for questioning Seroth. Choking down the feeling of sickness from the fast flight she steeled herself on his back. She would have to make due for now, there were little ones that may need her.
The Nexus was fast approaching and soon they would be landing. Bracing herself she closed her eyes as they landed with a thump. She liked flying, not extremely fast flying, but landing was a different story. Seroth thought this little behavior of hers was odd, but he would break her out of it at some point, but that would have to wait until later. "Go to them. The others have already had time to observe the cubs and they are already offering their gifts."
"Gifts? Why are there gifts?" Amerlan was puzzled by this. Maybe the it was sort of a happy bond day present? Like you do with birthdays?
Soreth chuckled and corrected her lightly, "You are on the right track, but this is a little different. When it's time for Eld'rani cubs to bond you must offer a gift and if they approve then they will bond you. First, however, the parent or in this case Toreth, as acting mother, will sort through the appropriate gifts before they are allowed to be presented to the cubs."
Amerlan fiddled around in her pockets but came up empty. She had her bow and dagger, but she couldn't think of much use the cubs would have for them. "This would have been easier if you had informed me of this before hand." Her tail flicked around irritably and that's when it caught her eye. Her feathers would make the perfect gift! There was nothing like them on this place and they were a little bit of her. She hoped Torth would approve. Taking two of the larger feathers from her hair and one of the shorter ones from her tail she laid them before Torth and back away to get a better look at the cubs.
They were small and pathetic. Their skin clung to their bones. It was a mercy that one of the Dragons had thought to bring food. Watching what the others were doing she grabbed a handful of meat and wandered up to the nearest cub. Presenting her hand with the meat sitting on it she hope the little one would eat. She had seen some of the other cubs eat meat, so she hoped this one would too.
((Challenge Post: 561 words : internal, behavior, moaning))
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Leyora
Global Moderator
Posts: 316
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Post by Leyora on Jun 11, 2014 14:11:01 GMT -8
"We'll be lucky if we make it on time. I'm still not sure I understand what you intend to do with all those old rags." Leyora smiled and tried hard not to see in her mind's eye what she had planned as she snuggled in close to her dragon, trying to keep the sting of the wind and her hair from her eyes. Eyrdith's landing was a smooth one, but in Leyora's hurry to dismount, she almost fell. Once on the ground she took in her surroundings and for a moment felt daunted. So many people and creatures and they carried themselves in the manner of important nobles and such. She could feel doubt rising in her as to if she really belonged her... until she laid eyes on the skin and bone creatures she had come to help. Eyrdith said nothing, though the reflections in her eyes showed distress over her human's manner. Something would have to be done about that, but for now she waited and watched to see how Leyora would handle the situation.
Leyora's shoulders curved in a little but she managed not to look at the ground this time. Being naught more than an average human and a peasant all her life she was used to being of little worth. The only time that ever changed was when she was on a mission and she was on one now. Determination and warmth glowed in her grey eyes as she found a place slightly off from the rest of the riders, but still near the cubs. She wasn't ready to deal with people yet, but the cubs' situation spoke to her heart even as it broke it. She knelt down and pulled from her pouch the reason why she had been so late to arrive; a wad of leather which, once unfolded, revealed a fair sized pile of baked fish flakes. To acquire the fish, Leyora had built a makeshift oven by digging a pit and lining it with rock. The meal was one she had fished up for herself originally, but instead baked for the cubs, upon hearing the news. "I could have cooked them with my flame." "No dear, you would have burnt them crisp with the hurry you were in. The fish needed to slow cook to both fall apart into flakes and still be soft, moist for the cubs to be able to chew." Eyrdith snorted, feigning indignance, though inwardly she was proud for her rider's attention to detail. There were not enough fish flakes for all the cubs, though two or three might be able to make a meal of it if they chose. "I wasn't expecting the cats to be so big..."
It seemed most of the Eld'rani were already in good, if at times comical, hands, but there was one that was still sleeping. Concerned, Leyora edged closer to Torth and the sleeping cub. Glancing to the man that had offered up his helmet as a gift, she murmured, "Poor thing. I hope it... she?... isn't too far gone." Gender was hard to determine with the cub curled up the way it was. She reached inside the front of her dress, to the old rags she had been wearing against her stomach. The rags were clean, but worn as they had once been the sleeves and bottom of her dress, and now they were warm and covered in Leyora's scent. She gave Torth a shy look of askance before gently draping the warm rags over the sleeping cub. "I'm sorry I have so little to offer as help... or a gift." She lowered her eyes back to the cubs and tugged self consciously at what was left of her dress. Though it hung to her knees, she was unused to wearing anything less than all the way to her ankles. No words came from Eyrdith, but the dragon sent soothing vibes of wordless encouragement to her rider.
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Post by Amerlan on Jun 13, 2014 16:13:09 GMT -8
Torth hummed happily as the gifts were brought forward. None of them were mountains of wealth or promises of grandeur, which pleased her greatly. She admired the thoughtful gifts, the small tokens. Perhaps it had been for the better that the candidates had to think on the fly for which gift they would bring. First presented to her was a helmet strong and sturdy, though it looked slightly worn. This human can defend himself and Akanth's gift of food greatly helped his cause. Terris's manner of presenting the gift was also noted not just by Torth, but also the cubs as well, respect was a big deal to the Eld'rani. She moved onto examining Cain's gift. It was odd, just like the skeleton man himself, but she liked what it represented. If this man was to bond with a cub he would have to show all of himself, no more secrets could be had. Yes, this gift was entirely appropriate. Torth watched as Duzell fumbled for his gift. His indecision between two set her slightly on edge. Which would the man keep? The watch that was obviously precious to him, or the knife that meant nothing, but was useful? In the end the man settled on the watch. Lowering her head she looked the man directly in the eye, "You give away you most precious object." She wasn't sure if this was good or not. Yes, he was giving something of great value to the cubs, but did this mean he might try to give away his bond later when it suited him better? Torth snorted and returned her head to its previous position. He had bonded to a Dragon and a respectable one at that, there was no need for her to have such ghoulish thoughts. Shuffling the thoughts away she nodded to Duzell, his gift would pass. In the middle of her inspection of the gifts two others arrived. Both female, one human, and the other something human like but with an odd tail and feathers. Where were all these strange humanoids coming from?! Her ancestors had never seen anything but humans, that she could recall. Though able to bond with the cubs as they so desperately needed, Torth was no pleased with these two. Se growled, "How disrespectful are you that you show up late?" Surely nothing could have been more important than helping the cubs. That train of thought doused her rag It had been her fault that the cubs were motherless, though they were probably better off now. Grudgingly she settled down, "Present your gifts like the others." This human and humanoid would help fix the mistake she had made, so she might as well show some decency. Settling back down she allowed Amerlan to present her gift of feathers. These feathers were odd however, they didn't come from any bird Torth had seen before. Inspecting the odd humanoid again she noted that the feather must have come from the humanoid herself. This creative gift seemed to act as a balm for her rage from earlier. Like the others Amerlan had presented to her a piece of herself, but it was literal this time. Chuckling at her train of thought Torth nodded and moved onto the next late comer. This one was human and obviously had just come from a poor situation. Unlike the knight who could have once had his weight in copper or silver, or maybe even gold, this girl could have hardly had a fraction of her weight in aluminum. Motioning the timid girl forward she inspected the gift of fish flakes. A meager gift like some of the others, but this one had warmth and patience, something Leyora would need if a cub chose her. Xel'zhan, one of the humanoids had come before had yet to present a gift to her. Frowning she moved on to address those who had presented their gifts. "All of your gifts are acceptable by my standards, but it is the Eld'rani who you must really impress. Lay your gifts in a line and they will let you know when they have chosen to bond with you." Torth may have had more of her speech, but it was interrupted by the Idle Composer stumbling forward. His belly was full of milk and he felt very pleased with himself. Torth had taken her time with the candidate now it was his turn. There was no way in hell he was going to let one of his siblings chose his chosen bonded. Swiftly pulling a quill from his tail he laid in onto the helmet that belonged to Terris. "I cannot hear like my siblings and yet you were still kind. I would have never made it without a bonded, here or out there." Slowly making his way to Terris he sat on Terris's feet and curled his tail around Terris's ankle. Slowly the bond snapped into place and all was clear. The bond was light and comforting. Purring the cub flashed images of himself growing up and Terris being there with him. The knight would be able to take care of him when he himself could not, and for that the Idle Composer was grateful. "What shall you call me?" His mother had only referred to him with pictures, but he desired a true name. The Sullen Fawn laid there ignoring all others around her, not even the bonding of her brother tempted her to chose her own bonded. She had no interest in food, no interest in the warmth of the cloth that had been placed on her. Instead she chose to bury herself in the welcoming arms of the deepest sleep she'd ever had. Torth crooned and nudged the little cub. In her elation, and slight annoyance, of the Idle Composer bonding she had forgotten to check on the Sullen Fawn. Just moments before it's little chest had been scraping through breaths, but now it laid still. Even the heartbeats were slowing to a stop. "Oh little on I'm so sorry." Torth pulled the now dead Sullen Fawn to her chest and keened softly. She had known it would be a stretch for all the cubs to make it, but seeing the others perking up so well had given her hope. Torth's eyes whirled with sorrow as she held the little one close. The Fanciful Stud paid no heed in the passing of his sister. Too focused was he on getting every last drop of milk out of the cloth. He had not take to being picked up very well, but once he had been set down he went to town on the cloth. Even more to his delight he found that he was now in the possession of another cloth due to his brother leaving. He didn't want to bond right now and wasn't sad at all when his brother had claimed Terris. All the Fanciful stud wanted to do now was drink, and drink he did. Pausing in her play with the tail the Bouncing Trickster gave a few short cries for her sister. If it wasn't for her easily excitable nature she may have gone over to her sister, but her belly demanded food and the tail had riled her up quite a bit. Scrambling for the nearest pile of meat she dug in. He face became smudged with red from her rapid and messy eating, but she couldn't care, her belly was becoming full for the first time in many days. The Hyper Imp was far to focused on the 'magic hand' to notice Torths crooning for his sister. So the man had said it wasn't magic, he didn't believe him. It must be magic. His feast was monetarily disturbed when the skeleton man had to go and get more food, but this time he had two handfuls of meat! The man had been right! He didn't have one magic hand he had magic hands! Careful Instigator purred happily when the human returned to cut up his food. Now it was the perfect size for him and he wouldn't get his fur dirty while eating. Carefully lapping up his meal he showed his thanks to Duzell through a set of mind pictures, which the Cocky Queen echoed. She enjoyed the attention and her belly was getting full! It was a win-win. The Careful Instigator and Cocky Queen's meal was interrupted when they heard Torth's keening. With their bellies no longer controlling their minds they could see that their sister had passed and they felt a great sorrow. Slowly they made their way to Torth and sat in front of the Dragon mewling. Understanding that they wished to see their sister Torth laid the kit down on the sands in front of the cubs. The Cocky Queen was the first to approach as she nuzzled her sisters side and cried softly. She was soon joined by the Careful Instigator who began to groom the Sullen Fawns head. First their mother was gone and now their sister. The two cubs hearts were breaking as they sat there mourning their sister. ((500 word challenge : ghoul[ish], creative, aluminum : 1517 words)) ((Edit: Tidfe , @terris , Duzell , greyheron , Leyora : I've noticed a few of you having a lot on your plates lately so I'm extending the next post until 6/18))
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Post by Tidfe on Jun 15, 2014 18:39:31 GMT -8
Cain shivered as he looked over at the cub that had fallen. Memory tickled at the back of his mind but he pushed it away. Now was not the time for remembrance. At least, not his time for it as he noticed two of the siblings go over to mourn over their dead sister. Looking about, he swore he caught a glimpse of a cloak and a now much better looking cub, but it was gone before he could even so much as blink. It wasn't his place to see that sort of thing though that did not stop him from trying.
If Cain knew that the cub still thought of his hand (well, hands now) being magic, he would be grinding his teeth just a little in frustration. He wasn't that magical you silly little cub, but if it made the tiny spiky kit feel better, Cain could let him believe that all he wanted. Hearing his gift was appropriate for the occasion, Cain pushed it into the line. Seeing the fish flakes, he turned to the girl who had brought them. "Glad one of us was fairly smart with our gifts and brought along some food. Well...Brought it the first time around as opposing to coming here and then picking up food."
And look at that! Even though Cain might not completely know it, the Knight had bonded first. Rest assure, if he had known, he probably would have made a wisecrack about how even though the Knight didn't know which cow to milk, he was first still in the eyes of that cub. Just hope the cub doesn't want a lot of milk. Luckily for most within hearing distance, he didn't know so everyone would be saved from his smart aleck comments.
Looking back down at the Hyper imp, Cain flexed his hands slightly. The meat felt grimy and more than a bit squishy. Not that he really minded, it was just an interesting feeling. "Do you need more food little one or are you good for now?" He wasn't about to offer the cub any milk. The chances of him getting near enough to a cow to milk it were zilch to none. Animals just did like him he had learned in the past and he really didn't want a skull caved in at the moment. Not when there were so many better candidates around.
Not that Cain thought they were going to get their heads kicked in of course.
Ooc: 300 word challenge: Grinding, Memory 414 words
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Post by Amerlan on Jun 15, 2014 19:21:27 GMT -8
((Just Amer's post, not moving along in the plot till the 18th))
Amerlan sighed in relief when she was told her gift was acceptable. There had been no remarks about her gift, which could go either way, but she settled on it being a go thing. Picking up her gift she set it beside the skeleton man's gift. She wracked her brain for a bit, what was his name again? For the life of her she couldn't remember, oh well she'd have to ask him again at some point. Thinking about it she didn't really remember any of the candidates names. They'd have to get together soon and fix that. No used in having a Weyr, as Seroth called it, if no one knew each other.
She was roused from her musings when she heard Torth's keening. Slowly making her way over she tried to pear to see what had happened. Surely all the cubs were alright right? They had been fed and most of them seemed to be moving around just fine. She had never been a gambler, but the odds seemed to have been going in the cubs favor. Well, at least after Torth had brought them all here to bond with the cubs.
She felt a pull at her ankle and saw that Seroth was attempting to smuggle her back over, and a very poor smuggler he was. He may have tried to be sneaky about it but Torth's distress had effected him as well, leading him to pulling Amerlan down onto her ass and dragging her a few feet across the sands. If it wasn't for Amerlan smacking his tail he probably would have cuddled her just as close as Torth was cuddling the cub.
"Would you let me go? What happened anyways?" She didn't mean to come off so crass, but the Dragon was getting on her nerves.
"Sorry." Seroth removed his tail and settled back down. "One of the cubs has passed, the one she had nicknamed Sullen Fawn. Poor thing."
Amerlan nodded and sent him a mental pat in apology. The dead cub troubled her greatly. Little things should not die, perhaps if Torth had found them sooner? Sighing she watched as two of the cubs went to see their dead sister. It just about broke her heart to see them mourning her. Ignoring Seroths obvious attempt to keep her away Amerlan carefully approached the cubs. "I'm so sorry little ones." She spoke in a soft tone so as not to startle them. She kept a good distance, she wanted to comfort them, not intrude on their goodbye with their sister.
This place they had come to was like a vampire, sucking her soul dry. It took more out of Amerlan than the last fifty years of her life. She thought working as a mentor had been draining, but this took the cake. First being dropped in an unkown place and now watching a babe die. This is definitely not what she had planned for herself, but maybe it was for the better. Without the others and perhaps even her these cubs would be in worse condition?
Plopping herself down on the sands she began to hum a tune her own mentor had once taught her. It had once soothed her, so she hoped it would help the cubs as well.
((500 word challenge : Smuggler, Gambler, Vampire : 542 words))
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Post by greyheron on Jun 16, 2014 9:55:10 GMT -8
Xel'zhan watched one of the cubs simply expire.
Watching a human child die so would not have troubled him as greatly. Humans had never been anything but cruel, so good riddance to the whole wretched species. But here...no, Xel could summon none of his usual bitterness to protect his heart from grief. He could hide it, though.
He was also expected to give up his most precious object? Mutely, the tiefling took a battered, plain iron necklace from around his neck. It had been his mother's. It was the only thing of any value he had, and that was purely sentimental. Its monetary value was less than worthless, but it had been... it had been the best his mother could afford when she'd bought it, and she'd smiled so sweetly when she'd given it to her son, aged six at the time. His mother's smile that evening was his favorite memory of her, and one of his last, given how little time he'd had with her.
Civeth, for his part, had left. The dragon returned shortly, dropping a mangled flank of meat down in front of the cubs. Whatever beast the meat had once belonged to was beyond any recognition. The meat itself seemed pre-chewed, tenderized and shredded in the maw of a dragon, and mildly cooked by fire.
The dragon seemed entirely too proud of himself, given that his offering was late to the party.
"You're late," Xel told his dragon.
Better late than never, little demon. Besides, they look like they could use the extra. So could you, for that matter. When's the last time you ate?
"That's not important, Civeth."
Xel held the necklace up for Torth's approval. Oh, but it was a battered and shabby-looking thing, not worth the amount of iron scraps that had gone into its forging. Xel didn't see it in his hand, however. He was remembering his mother's smile.
He'd fallen into this new world with a boot knife, his mother's necklace, and the clothes on his back, and he was about to give up the necklace. He was about to give up the last vestige of his mother that he had left.
Given the circumstances, it seemed appropriate.
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Post by Terris on Jun 16, 2014 16:02:05 GMT -8
An authentic grin spread over the knight's face as he felt the bond click into place. He picked up the little bundle of fur, gently brushing a hand over the still-soft spines before cradling the small creature to him.
"You may not be able to hear." he said thoughtfully, a hand stroking the creature's soft fur idly. "But that doesn't mean you will not lead a full, happy and productive life. The world around you will be silent, save the whispers our bond provides, and so, I call you Whisper" he said finally. He sincerely hoped the little cub found the name appropriate, he could feel the species was a proud race, and as such, he was acutely aware that he must not give a name that would bring shame on his new companion.
Terris' heart sank as he noted the death of the weaker cub, and he placed Whisper on the ground again, so he could go and say goodbye to his passed sister. How could he have been so dumb? He should have noticed the little one struggling, should have forced some milk into her mouth, maybe then...but maybe was a gulf better men than he had fallen into. It was not his fault she had died, not really. He doubted a few scant drops of milk would have saved her if she was that close to death already.
Whisper moved toward his sister, his heart heavy as he gently nudged the small, sad form of his littermate with his head, a gentle caress. I am sorry, little sister, that you could not find the strength to stay. May your life in the next realm be more fruitful than your short journey through this realm he said quietly, before he stood, turned and walked back to Terris, twining himself around his bonded's legs, taking comfort from the warmth radiating from the bond.
His head bumped against the still-armoured legs, a hollowed bang reverberating up the knight's body. Terris knelt, picked up the cub once more, and moved to pick up the helmet and the spine left on it, before heading over to Akanth.
The dragon had watched the goings on with some interest, and though he dared not admit it, his heart almost broke with the passing of the cub. He knew, this was a part of life, however, and that the weakest of creatures did not survive, and wishing wouldn't make it so, but to lose something so young...it was never an easy thing to witness.
"You old softie, you are as sad as the cubs." Terris said as he approached the dragon, reaching up to scratch at a dry piece of hide on the dragon's foreleg. Akanth moved into it, his eyes closing in pleasure as the itchy spot was soothed, though, when his bonded stopped, he managed to look indignant.
I am not sad, just regretful that this had to happen to one so young. The dragon huffed, and Terris and Whisper exchanged knowing glances, but said no more on the matter. Let the dragon retain his dignity....for now.
(ooc: 524 words, Authentic, Bang, Dumb)
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Leyora
Global Moderator
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Post by Leyora on Jun 16, 2014 20:35:43 GMT -8
Met with scorn for being late, Leyora ducked her head, hand reaching up to tug a lock of hair that dangled awkwardly in front of her left eye. "I beg forgiveness, Great One. The gift I offer required more time than it seems we have available." She found it hard to keep her eyes off of the lone cub that seemed to be ever falling into a deeper sleep. Her heart was lodged in her throat and it took much discipline not to disrespectfully snatch up the cub and cradle it.
She was unfamiliar with the customs here, but knowing that animals here seemed to be more sentient than the ones back home, she treated them with the same pompous respect that she was taught to show to others in her land. The dragons she viewed as royalty and the cubs she imagined as being little nobles. To touch one that seemed to want nothing to do with her or anything else might be viewed as insolent. At least, this was her fear. Eyrdith snorted derisively at such notions and promised her rider that when there was a bit of quiet to be had, she would teach her the customs that the dragons had once thought were myths. There was a need for respect, yes, but no need to bend over backwards and jump through hoops to please every single being she comes across, without also considering her own needs.
When Torth spoke again, obediently, Leyora moved to set her gift of fish flakes to the center of the line that was being formed, though she never strayed too far from the sleeping cub. She was relieved to her that her gift was pleasing at least. Cain's words also gave encouragement and was rewarded with a faint smile. "I'm not sure about smart, but as needs must." Still, the reassurance, did nothing for her concern of the sullen fawn. Her total lack of interest in food, warmth, or comfort made Leyora fear for the worst. She gazed helplessly at the creature as it drew its last breath. Tears stung her eyes and she curled up beside the form. She closed her eyes as Torth eventually picked the lifeless body and whispered, "If only I had not arrived so late... maybe she..." There was no way to finish her sentence.
Eyrdith crept closer and butted her nose gently into Leyora's back, keening in sorrow of the loss. This in its own way mildly surprised Leyora, as most animals she knew did not mourn the death of creatures from other species. Death was more keenly felt here and though Leyora knew well enough the way of the circle of life, it did not stop her from turning to her dragon for mutually shared comfort. The sight of the sibling cubs mourning their sister was almost too much for her, so Leyora turned her gaze to the cubs that were still seeking food, drink and attention, instead. Though a certain amount of respect should be given to the dead, there was something soothing in watching the few that were not yet affected by the loss. An unsullied innocence, perhaps? Whatever it was, it helped to calm both dragon and rider for the nonce.
((500 word challenge: Center, Awkward, Hoop = 540 words))
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Post by Duzell on Jun 17, 2014 21:09:07 GMT -8
Duzell wasn't certain what to make of Torth's response to his gift. She didn't seem disapproving, per se, but she hadn't said anything positive either. Duzell shook his head; he had to stop over thinking things. It was done. Good or bad, he had made his decision and now he'd live with it.
Duzell was shaken out of his thoughts at the sound of the sad mewling of the cubs. Turning, he saw the cub that had been sleeping had passed. Damn it. Nothing so young should have to die. He thought back and wished there had been more he could have done for her. Maybe if he'd stayed with her and not gotten distracted by the other cubs he could have done something. He wiped away a tear and stood there, feeling entirely useless. Numbly, he turned and check that the remaining cubs had enough food. He may not be able to help the poor cub that had passed but he vowed that none of her siblings would be passing on while he had something to say about it.
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Post by Amerlan on Jun 17, 2014 23:48:57 GMT -8
The Hyper Imp watched carefully as Cain put his gift into line. The skeleton man had treated him well, hell he had somehow gotten food for him when even his mother couldn't. The train of thought dampened the cubs mood considerably and reminded him of his now dead sister. Turning away from Cain the Hyper Imp walked slowly to his fallen sister. Stopping a few feet away from her he crouched low and whined. He hadn't meant to be so self obsessed, but his belly had ached.
Hearing her brothers whine the Cocky Queen turned around and hissed lowly. Her still soft spines flared as she growled at her brother. "No right. You have no right to come to her now. While you sat getting fat our sister died and you didn't even notice!" Her growling had not escaped any of the other cubs notice. They all stopped and turned to see one of their sisters dead and another yowling at their brother. Tiny hisses and spine flaring now filled their tiny section of the sands. Most had no clue why they were doing so, only that they were filled with great sorrow and the tension from their sister and brother spurred them on.
Backing away slowly the Hyper Imp kept his spines flat against his back. He didn't want to anger his sister anymore, all he had wanted to do was say good-bye. Trying to keep his sisters wrath at bay he flashed a series of images of him pressing his nose to Sullen Fawn's head, and then backed away.
This did nothing but further anger the Cocky Queen and even made the Careful Instigator turn around and hiss lowly, "Go back to your human. We'll take care of our own." He rested his tail on his sisters shoulder and turned around to resume his watch over his fallen sister. With the urging of her brother the Cocky Queen followed suit and started carefully grooming her sister again. "You're going to be the prettiest out of us all when I'm done." She said quietly.
The Hyper Imp ran towards to line of gifts without a second thought. His siblings may now longer want him, but he knew someone who would. Picking up the wig in his teeth he dragged it over to where Cain was and set it down in front of him. Carefully he plucked a quill from his tail and laid it on the wig. "I'm sad," he admitted. "I need someone to be my someone. Can you do that? My siblings don't want me? Do you want me?" The Hyper Imp stood on his hind legs and rested his front paws against Cains thigh bones. "Please?" The cub wasn't one to usually beg, but he desperately needed someone right now. Hopefully Cain would be his someone. The bond was half complete. The Hyper Imps end was fulfilled. If Cain accepted the bond would slip easily into place, light as a feather.
The Fanciful Stud was now torn. His milk drinking had been interrupted by his spines flaring and a low growl escaping his lips. He wasn't even sure why he was so tense until he saw his sister ready to rip into his brother. Looking past them he saw the object of their dispute, Sullen Fawn was dead. Yowling he charged forward and ran right passed the Cocky Queen determined to reach his sister.
If it wasn't for Torth's intervention the Cocky Queen surely would have gone for her brother. Gently keeping the two cubs separate she admonished them, "What would your sister think?! Fighting like this. For shame. Get over yourselves and act respectfully." Torth picked up Sullen Fawn again, but this time did not set her down, Torth wouldn't let the cubs fight over their sibling again. Looking out to the horizon she sent a prayer to the gods that Sullen Fawn would be looked after and cherished.
Out of all Torth's words respectful had been the one to hit them the hardest. For all their pride they had forgotten the number one rule: respect. Now they had sullied their sisters death with their disrespect. Mewling they all, not just the Fanciful Stud and Cocky Queen, sent out an apology to their sisters soul, hopefully she would hear and forgive them.
The Bouncing Trickster wandered over to the Cocky Queen and began to groom her coat for her. She had also passed off their sisters death, but now she knew what a mistake she had made. If comforting her sister was the only thing she could do right now, then be damned that is what she was going to do.
With his sister in capable hands the Careful Instigator picked himself off of the sands. It was time, he felt a consuming need to be bonded. Making his way to the line of things he examined each one carefully He didn't really care who they belonged to. No, he was looking for the gift that called to him. He passed up the feathers and even the fish flakes that smelled heavenly. Finally he got to the gift that spoke to him. A shiny, gold pocket watch gleamed up at him and he knew he had found the right one. Picking it up extremely gently the cub took it over to Duzell's feet and laid it down. Plucking a quill from his tail he gently laid it atop the watch. "From this moment on I am yours and you are mine. No amount of time will change this." Nudging the pocket watched and quill towards Duzell he continued, "Keep them both. After all, how else will you remember to feed me." The cheeky cub smiled up at Duzell as the bond crackled into place.
Amerlans voice had startled the Cocky Queen and paused her sisters grooming of her. Dipping her head she flashed her thanks before laying her head on her paws and letting her sister resume her care.
Torth paused in her grieving to give the last gift a once over. Really she had no care to look at the gift. It was late and now she was busy mourning, but she supposed she must. Nodding she accepted the gift and motioned for him to place his gift where the others had already laid theirs.
The harshness of her grief was tampered slightly by the words of forgiveness Leyora had offered. "It's alright, thank you." Her words were barely a whisper, for she feared she'd break down again at any moment.
((500 word challenge : horizon, hiss, determined : 1079 words))
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Post by Tidfe on Jun 18, 2014 14:44:24 GMT -8
Cain watched the pup run back as he finally noticed his sister was gone. "It would not have done any good. If it is time for them to go, it is time for them to go." He couldn't get that brief image out of his head. Least he knew for sure the Sullen Fawn was going to a better place. She was an innocent after all and Death never judged harshly on the innocent. Sometimes unfair when he takes them, but never harsh with where he placed them. Hearing the growling going around, he tensed up and looked for the cause. "Besides, she is in a better place. She will never go hungry or cold ever again and she can do whatever she wants, anytime she wants now. Really, death is just another adventure that some people get to enjoy." He decided not the mention what happened if you were on Death's Shit List. That was not a pleasant place to be. He wondered how he had escaped it or if his form now was proof he had not. Reaching out, he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder before pulling back after thinking that might be a breach of personal space and she might hit him for it. Or her dragon might hit him for her if she felt her bonded was upset enough.
And if the hit was anything like Dorth's throws, he would be picking up the pieces for a month if he was lucky.
Oh where did he begin with how wrong the scene he saw before him was. No one should fight at a death site and no one should place blame on one another. Torth was right. They had disrespected their sister with their petty quarrels, not to mention not giving any closure to the pup that had run back to him with his wig. Cain was about to sigh and tell him to go put it back when he felt the grainy paws on his thigh bones. Reaching down, he softly ran his bony fingers down the little ones head. "Of course I want you Able. What you sister just did was indecent and not right. No one should be kicked out of their family at a time like this. No one." As he spoke, he continued to pet the cub to try and relax him. Yes, little cub, you will be his now and forever. Even if he had to track down your ghost himself to get you back. The bond felt natural to him and that was that.
Picking up the wig, he stretched the elastic of it and set it on Able's head. It was an attempt to make him laugh and start the healing process. The skeleton was already planning a mini funeral for Able, to help bring him some closure for his sister. After all, it couldn't hurt to try. Most of the time, that is what funerals really were about. Giving the living closure for the dead.
Ooc: 500 word: Elastic, Indecent, Begin 500 words
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Post by Amerlan on Jun 18, 2014 22:20:19 GMT -8
Amerlan's tail lashed back and forth as she watched the Cocky Queen trample on her brothers feelings. She as pissed off and would have given the cub an earful, but she hadn't wanted to spoil the memory of Sullen Fawns death any more. It had been to the Cocky Queen's and Careful Instigators great fortune that Torth had stepped in the second time, because Amerlan would not have let that much disrespect go again. Her anger was off the grid at this point and if it wasn't for Seroth soothing her she surely would have boiled over.
Stomping away from the cubs she went back to Seroth and sat on his paws. She had to think of a way to let the Cocky Queen know what she had done was a terrible thing, but she couldn't just lash out. That would fix nothing. Groaning she rubbed her face in her hands, she was no therapist, no aficionado of social skills. Perhaps if she studied the cub she would think of something.
As she was gazing at the cub she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. It seemed that two of the cubs had already bonded without her noticing! The knight and skeleton man were proud bondeds to their own cubs! She had to admit she was extremely jealous. And look! Another cub was making it's way over to the gifts. She held her breath as it passed up the fish flakes, oh look its pausing at her feathers! She internally cheered, but was quickly deflated as it passed up her feather gift. Oh well, perhaps the next cub will find her suitable. The cub finally stopped at Duzell's gift and she finally got to see another bond with her own eyes. It was quite a remarkable thing and she dearly hoped one of the cubs would choose her.
She saw the gentle way Cain was treating his new bonded and that made a light bulb go off in her head. Of course! A gentle hand would surely help the Cocky Queen, or at least she hoped it would.
Slowly she made her way back over to where the Cocky Queen was being groomed by another cub. Once she was no more than three feet away she crouched down to the cubs level. "You miss her huh? How silly of me to even ask, of course you do." Pausing she offered a sad smile. "You don't know this, but a few days, maybe even weeks, ago I wasn't in this place. I was in a different world, my home world. But then I was dumped here. At first I felt alone and scared and that lead me to lash out at my bonded, Seroth. But he showed me lashing out isn't the way to fix something. A little kindness can go a long way if you're willing to try." She dearly hoped she had gotten through to the Cocky Queen and hadn't offended her, it would do both of them no good to be at odds with each other.
((500 word challenge : fortune, grid, aficionado : 511 words))
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Post by Duzell on Jun 21, 2014 0:20:07 GMT -8
Duzell could not believe the discord he was seeing. He could not imagine any of the cubs being so disrespectful as to fight here, dishonoring their sister’s memory with petty squabbles. And yet, that was the scene that was playing out right in front of his eyes. Duzell was both incredibly angry and terrible sad. Now was a time for grief, a time when the cubs would need each other more than ever. Lost in a murky cloud of emotions, Duzell barely registered what Torth had said, although he did note that the fighting had stopped and the cubs looked ashamed. That was good at least. Had the fighting gone on for much longer Duzell might have done something he would regret. The truth was he was feeling quite useless at this point. He hadn’t been able to help the poor deceased cub and now there was nothing more he could do for any of the others without risking upsetting them. With a sigh he decided to just wait and see what would happen.
Duzell’s spirits were lifted a tiny bit as he watched the Hyper Imp bond with the skeleton man. That cub had already been rejected by one family; it was good that he had found a new one with Cain. Cain seemed to be getting along with the cub perfectly. Duzell hoped he would be as good with his cub as Cain was with the Hyper Imp. As happy as he was for the cub and for Cain, Duzell could not help but feel a pang of jealousy. He wanted to bond with one of the cubs so badly.
Duzell’s breath caught as he saw one of the other cubs approaching the line of gifts. He felt himself growing more hopeful with each gift the cub passed. He could not wipe the smile off his face as the cub gently picked up his watch and brought it over to him. He felt the bond click into place as the cub snarked up at him. Great, this one was going to be a handful. Keeling down he gently stroked his bond’s head. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Picking up the quill and the watch, Duzell rose to his feet. He placed both in his pocket, careful not to stab himself with the quill. “Now, you’re going to be needing a name. Hmm, let me think. How about Saint?” The cub was hardly saintly, Duzell could tell that already. Yet for some reason the name just sounded right. “How does that sound to you?” Saint rubbed up against Duzell in approval. “Good! Now how about…” Duzell was about to suggest that Saint apologize to his brother, but looking down at the cub he figured that would not go nearly as well as he would hope. “Nevermind. Want to see who the rest of your siblings choose?” Duzell sat down on the sands and patted the ground next to him. Saint padded over to Duzell and sat next to him with his body pressed up against Duzell’s side.
Ooc: 500 word challenge, 510 words, Discord, rose, murky
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