O.G.
It is not these well-fed, long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.
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Post by Cat on Jun 19, 2017 17:48:24 GMT
She did not leap so much as bound, appearing not unlike a frolicking fawn leaping after a fluttering butterfly. This was no meadow, however, and there were no butterflies; what there was, were fish. Fish that skillfully swam downstream - even upstream! - as easily as snakes slithered through grass or birds soared through air. It was as amazing as it was frustrating. The girl huffed, an obvious sound of exasperation hidden under an overwhelming sense of ambition. One wiggling moment of preparation on the riverbank - couple with a steeled look upon her feminine face - and Lyra leapt onto the first of several haphazard stepping stones that littered the waterway.
Luckily, today the river was fairly subdued, its babbling coupled with the sounds of breaching fish and splashing water - against rocks, against the shoreline. Bravely did the girl now stand, straddling the first damp outcropping precariously, gazing with pale eyes into the shallow depths below. Doubtful there would be many fish daring to cavort so dangerously close to dry land! She'd have to go deeper.
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Post by Kim on Jun 24, 2017 13:44:10 GMT
With her mother's words still dancing in her ears, Firestar set forth to perhaps meditate upon them in her search for Lyra. The promise from her mother to learn further knowledge on Caeleste and the importance of the information settled like a heavy armor over her shoulders-- but, in all that she did, Firestar bore such a weight like a second skin. It was comfortable in the weight and heavy in a way that a natural armor felt proper and welcome. It was not the armor of a warrior, of course, but that of one destined to see the world maintain beauty and peace.
It would not be difficult to find one of the scattered few welcome here within the sanctuary of this secluded home. The land had not yet come to life and thus discovering another would almost certainly reveal their identity by process of seclusion. Lyra was the only one she'd anticipate locating and it would be Lyra that she ultimately found. For the moment, the pale lady of fire and purity simply watched the one she presumed to be searching for in her quest.
There was an almost amused way her green eyes warmed and the pale dove stepped like a whisper through the terrain that separated her from someone... relatively close to her age. Younger, of course, but certainly not by much. Firestar's experience with others was severely limited and yet she approached this situation as she did any other. "The fish will not come to you there." Her tone was idly amused if anything else-- though there was no doubt the elegance that was Star was attached to every piece of her delicate body while she stood on the shore. "You must be a stone for them to swim around-- only then may you be fast enough to earn a meal through their sacrifice." |
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O.G.
It is not these well-fed, long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.
Posts: 54
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Post by Cat on Jun 24, 2017 15:25:52 GMT
A more attentive, less distracted, more experienced individual would have spotted the white and pastel figure floating over, even if just out of their peripheral against the otherwise lush and green backdrop. Not this little angel unaware; focus was so keen despite a rapid fire mind that she'd no idea another was even remotely nearby until a voice sounded and, though the calm and soothing cadence relented unto her precious insight, its emergence summoned fright. Lyra startled with almost comedic flare, seemingly losing all sense of bodily consciousness in a display of flailing and scampering limbs that resulted in the girl slipping off her precarious perch and splashing nonsensically into the shallow waters below. Lucky she hadn't ventured deeper - she'd've been a goner!
As it stood - or didn't - the now embarrassed little lady scrambled to her feet, somehow having the sense of mind not to shake the sopping, dripping heaps of water onto her new guest. Instead she was questionably polite in that she shuffled onto the shore to stand before the white woman, recognizing the color scheme but not the individual. That most certainly wasn't a quizzical pout that graced her face as she pondered possibilities; of course it felt a moment too late when she finally realized she was rudely staring - potentially even squinting seriously - at the stranger. Whoops!!
"I don't -- I mean thank you, I mean for the advice. I wasn't trying to hunt them.. I mean I would of course, eventually. I just wanted to look at them, learn about them..." She trailed off, pausing for a brief moment to let her pale gaze drift back to the stepping stones and the inevitable fish, swimming smartly below. "They're so smart, so clever. They can tell when you're coming and they know just how and when and where to move to be just barely out of reach." The ease with which she began to speak made it obvious the girl had almost forgot about her one-wolf audience, and immediately upon turning her eyes back to her company she seemed to seize up and sputtered. "S-sorry! I haven't even introduced myself!! My name's Lyra. What's yours?" A lopsided smile cracked through her shy facade, accompanied by a slow-wagging tail that scattered errant drops of water in its wake.
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Post by Kim on Jun 30, 2017 22:10:13 GMT
The darling dove hardly seemed perplexed by the skipped attention-- it was an easy enough feat for her to be missed despite the way her coat was a striking contrast to the world around her. When one walked as soft as a whisper of wind, it was easy for the senses to be tricked and a distracted mind to miss something entirely obvious for the sake of focusing on something of interest. So, of course, when she initially inspired fright, the young Scion merely offered the equivalent of an easy smile and a minor dip of her head in apology.
"Ah, do not fear. I did not intend to startle you." Green, radiant eyes lifted once more and took in Lyra from head to toe to tone of voice. Even though the poor girl had taken a bit of a swan dive, the darling dove couldn't help but smile in her apology. Whoops! She just cocked her head in idle, bright amusement while she took in the appearance of her... well... slightly, uh, damp conversational companion. And, even as Lyra came to shore with her quizzical staring and long silence, Firestar simply looked warm and amused throughout. The fair lady truly was a benevolent darling.
What truly caught her attention? It was that curiosity. It was something very familiar for her.
"You are astute in your observations." The fair maiden came to sit here on the shore even has her attention shifted to the water where the fish certainly danced and played below the surface. "They react to more than just movement. The ripple of the water, the fall of a shadow, each piece gives them so much information despite having such a perceived small mind in comparison." She spoke kindly about the fish words notwithstanding.
Ah, though, when she heard the name and had her suspicions confirmed! The pale lady simply smiled. "I am your Scion, Firestar, young Malakh." Though, not for long! But, still, she wished to approach this in a far different way than just 'congrats, you're ascended now enjoy the new rank'. So, to the water, she dipped her muzzle. "Come to the water with me. I'll bring you closer to them." And just like that, the fair dove stepped into the shallows and settled to lay in the water like she were a stone herself. |
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O.G.
It is not these well-fed, long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.
Posts: 54
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Post by Cat on Jul 3, 2017 12:50:31 GMT
The pretty young lady before Lyra was so poised, so precise that she couldn't help but feel a little humbled just for being in her presence. Slight relief was had just by hearing the words of peace, sung as though by a melodious dove. Slowly, muscles relaxed and fur that would eventually dry found its proper place, making the girl appear less a hot mess and more like the semi-composed, though honestly curious youth she truly was. This relaxation lasted but a moment, though, as she tried to shuffle herself into what was presumably a more presentable, squarely-stacked stance under the keen eye of her counterpart.
Lyra watched the woman politely, perking up at the wise words spoken. The angel came to accompany her and for some reason she could not explain there felt a radiance divine, that she should almost give the not-so-stranger more space, simply out of a respect. She did seem to command an aura of knowledge and supremacy, in the most amiable and blissful manner. It was curious, until of course the proverbial cat was released from its bag - this was the Scion she had heard so little about! Firestar. Before the girl could gawk or stumble through another unnecessary apology, however, her very-much-superior became her teacher, and waded into the quiet stream.
So, Lyra followed. She would dutifully obey the wisdom of the young to-be leader before her, suddenly astutely aware of every minor movement her muscles dared to make, pale eyes wide with anticipation as she crept into position.
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Post by Kim on Jul 12, 2017 15:34:07 GMT
The dove of peace and purity simply shone here under the light of the sun. She regarded her company with an eternal, bright kindness that seemed to exist in every pore of her being. Every piece of her body was designed as thought crafted with softened edges and gentle touch. She sought to inspire this calm and seemed pleased to find it seeping into Lyra like a breath of air over her fur. The young Firestar could only remained eternally gentle in her amusement while the younger Lyra composed herself once more.
It only served to brighten her when Lyra attempted to stand as she did-- though for the young Scion it was relatively natural for the flame-kissed dove to appear as though prepared for the show ring. Every part of her body was simply designed to appear as proper and regal as her role commanded. It was a natural grace, of course, that followed her through childhood and adolescence and would certainly carry on for as long as she walked the mortal world. The divine dove, of course, could only reveal herself in such a simple way before it made sense to bring the young student to the water. To teach, after all, one must assume the role of those to be taught. Firestar certainly had no qualms in walking among those others would perceive as lesser-- for walking in their shoes allowed her to bring them to greater heights in whatever means they learned best with.
Here in the water, the young Scion settled, and she waited with the eternal patience of someone far her superior in age while Lyra came to join her. Ultimately, and in time, the fish perhaps recognized the peaceful creature settled in their midst, for they began to come and investigate. If Lyra had settled completely as well, just as the fish came to pick along her fur to investigate so too would they investigate Lyra. "They will come to you if you allow them to be curious. Those of a darker heart? The fish recognize all and know when to avoid danger." Perhaps it was an impromptu test-- how well did the wild world recognize Lyra? Was she a beacon of peace capable of ascension or was she one who could not quite embrace the purity? |
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O.G.
It is not these well-fed, long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.
Posts: 54
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Post by Cat on Jul 24, 2017 2:17:54 GMT
Lyra was clearly a bit uncomfortable in the water, and she wore that discomfort on a youthful face that was taut with uncertainty; however, she trusted in her Scion - her newfound friend, dare she venture to believe - and the wisdom of experience that was being gifted to her. And slowly, surely, in their own time, ripples were felt, a prodding or two that felt unlike anything she'd ever experienced. Eyes widened to watch the scaly creatures just below the surface come to test her waters, check her temperature. They tapped into her fur and somehow the startled but curious malakh did not flinch or startle. "I wish I were as clever as the fish." She did not pout, but there was a somber tone in her voice as she responded to Firestar's comment on darker hearts.
It was not a matter dwelled upon long, however, as with a sigh it seemed expelled, and the quiet utterance was replaced with actual diction and colloquial speech. Cerulean eyes sought the teacher, curiosity at her helm as she queried: "Have you ever seen them reject someone? Is this a normal test?" Even a slight head tilt would accompany her question, focus on her counterpart enough so that she almost forgot that she was in a river surrounded by curious - probably confused - fish. There was so much in the world to learn, and so many different ways to look upon one things, that the young girl often had a hard time focusing on one particular thing. A wanderlust of the mind.
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Post by Kim on Aug 2, 2017 14:57:22 GMT
For all the distress and discomfort Lyra felt and showed, Firestar was ultimately her opposite in all regards. The Scion was completely at ease here without a bit of discomfort to be found. The darling was at home wherever she could exist and here in the water was little different than being on land in grand picture of her lifestyle. Still, it would be that willingness to trust and that eventual calm that pleased Firestar. And, in time, the Malakh was rewarded by the curiosity of the fish. It, too, pleased the white dove.
"To be as clever as the fish, one must be of open mind and body. You must feel the world around you as though it is an extension of yourself. They rely on the movement in the water and the shadows that cast ripples down upon their small world. We, too, can do the same as we embrace every sense we have and learn to understand them."
The inquiry that came next simply had Firestar's smile gentle. "I have not, but I have also not had the opportunity to see most accept this test. I am sure you have noticed we are few in number." The dove simply tilted her head a fraction. "But I can judge you on their curiosity-- and your willingness to remain still while they investigate you. To be a stronger part of the world, you must be just as willing to see the world as you are to let the world see you." Her smile remained something oh so simple and pure.
"I can see you are worthy of becoming a Archmalakh among us for your time to ascend is here." |
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O.G.
It is not these well-fed, long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.
Posts: 54
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Post by Cat on Sept 27, 2017 18:45:48 GMT
Lyra was the picture of politeness, though one were think it groomed, it was possible it simply bled from her genetics. She was a pale sort, gentle in appearance from doe eyes to delicate paws and a silken tail. For all her worth, however, she did not appear frail or brittle; she was solid as marble chalked with pastels, steady as a sunrise sky and just as youthful. When she listened, she listened well and attentively - it was not a show, nor was it impatient circumstance. Any word spoken to her was sure to be remembered with the utmost insistency, each syllable deemed as important as the last, regardless of its orator or intention. It was in this manor she regarded Firestar and her white hot wisdom. And she saw the girl for what she was - a girl, much like herself, young, though noble and more aware than she - but so too did she see her as what she was born to be - a messiah, the holy lamb. Lyra did not linger on these thoughts; she continued to track the sentences bestowed upon her, unaware until the end just where they were leading.
And lo the surprise! It took a moment for the Scion's words to sink in, and only then did light eyes widen into a speechless visage, mouth opening and closing repeatedly for a moment before the sound system came back online. "Wha-really??!" For all her previous petite and quiet semblance, the girl all but bellowed her delighted shock, shying the moment after when she realized her lost composure. A cleared throat pursued.
"I-I mean thank you!! So much!! I will not let you or Caeleste down!!" Steadfast and devout were the appreciative words, which would likely seem comical in any other context, but from the young girl they were honest and carved in slate. She truly meant each and everything she had ever and would ever say. Of course, in all her reverie she jostled about a bit and scared the curious fish away, splashing cascades of water as well before recomposing herself. " Sorry, it's just nice to feel like I'm doing something right for once, you know?" Insert a bit of an awkward giggle and sweat drop if you will, but all in all Lyra was just excited to right the wrongs of her past and truly find a place where she belonged and could do some good. Maybe make a friend or two along the way. And this sure seemed like the perfect way to start.
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Post by Kim on Sept 30, 2017 16:57:36 GMT
The pale-furred Scion was a creature crafted with patience, with calm, and with a gentleness that seemed to exist in every bit of her DNA. This was not a world that had broken her of her purity and her innocent adoration of the world. She still saw beauty in everything-- even when the world sought to be ugly, to be cruel, and to be violent. She believed in the power of change and believed that even something terrible could be taught to be something beautiful.
She was terribly naive and yet so determined to follow her belief that she wasn't likely to want to change it any time soon.
But, with her naive and young nature came her adaptability; but, so too did she come off as even more terribly innocent and young. Her youth would be her greatest asset and her inevitable downfall if she never learned from any future experiences. Firestar, regardless, seemed gently entertained and amused by the delight that overtook Lyra. A lost composure didn't bother the Scion one bit. She did cherish such life and such vibrancy after all. The spoken words had the Scion dipping her muzzle in a soft, graceful little nod. "I know you will do well, Archmalakh Lyra." The Scion remained steadfast in her calm and her expression portrayed her gentle entertainment without trouble.
"You have worked hard to earn this-- you are permitted to express your euphoria." Standing from the water, the Scion allowed the water to passively drip from her body without a shake in sight to dislodge the thick, wet weight from her coat just yet. "Never fret-- if you weigh the success of your actions only on the response you receive, you may never find satisfaction in acting simply for the benefit of knowing you did the right thing." |
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O.G.
It is not these well-fed, long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.
Posts: 54
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Post by Cat on Sept 30, 2017 21:21:35 GMT
It was clear he had burst through the brambles - meaning either he expertly navigated the thicket or tenaciously muscled his way through (or rather, under) the brush - by the state of his coat. Errant thorns and twigs clung to his coat, decorating him in an odd manor. I mean, he literally wore a crown of thorns for a brief moment. He had an odd stride, long and ground-eating, despite not being all that tall. A well-muscled neck, however, led the charged with a hefty head at the helm, calico colors melting together like the sun reflected lakeside. Blackberry residue stained under his royal eyes, and so when he gazed up at the sky, then slowly down to the horizon, he was able to spot the two silhouettes wading in the river. Curiously he slowed, collecting his lopsided lope and tuning pointed ears and a hard-working nose to the girls. He still all but barreled towards them, a bit rudely to be fair, slowing to a trot only once he was within easy conversational distance, shaking haphazardly to rid his rather thin pelt of the foliage that dared keep in it.
"Thought I'd find more than just two girls, but it's better than the nothing so far." Shepherd was obviously - or at least presumably - speaking out loud to himself, but made no effort to even mutter or mumble the despaired statement; no, it was spoken as simply and at colloquial volume as his next sentiment would be. Looking from Lyra to Firestar, he unflinchingly loomed on shore. "What are you guys doing?" Clearly already judging them, the boy's tone suggested he thought it was something moronic or nonsensical, but he obviously had some interest, as he continually checked them out with expectant eyes as though they might be fishing out treasure from underwater. Or maybe they were just crazy ladies exiled into insanity. He had no idea, and didn't bother to make any deductions. He'd just get the actual answer.
Lyra smiled gently, reassured by her Scion. That was the sort of woman she aspired to be, really, not that she could quite put to words what that actually entailed. Before any sort of affirmation or comment could rise from her in response, however, foreign footfalls caught her notice, and she pivoted her attention to the oncoming locomotive, for all intents and purposes. He was really gunning for it, and her confusion slowly turned to concern as he came more clearly into view. It was his face, a helmet of mahogany framing stormy lilac eyes, that startled her memory; there was no mistaking his father's genes. Slim and streamlined as the guy was, the arch of his neck and the rock of his hind legs were as genetic as they were conditioned. She went from calmly and blissfully standing astride her Scion to all but leaping behind her, scrambling for a moment before regaining her composure.
She was an Archmalakh of Caeleste. She was not a child anymore, not alone anymore. She had to buckle down.
As Shepherd slowed his roll, trotting and finally stopping near them, Lyra would pull herself from Firestar's shadow to stand astride the woman of white - perhaps not at her full, proud height, but close. There was tension in her shoulders that put her in a slight hunch, naturally guarded. About to return his inquiry with a query, the words died on her tongue the moment she opened her mouth. Not a single noise squeezed its way through her seized throat, a mix of nerves and flashbacks holding her back from acting. Inner turmoil running amok as the semi-stranger's gaze drifted to - and then away - from her, Lyra could do nothing but relent and look herself upon her Scion for rescue. She'd tried.
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