the Rift

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The creature is like nothing she's ever seen. It seems to defy all attempts at taxonomic classification, so eventually Amarantha stops trying.

From the number of people milling around apparently unconcerned, the creature was probably harmless. Nevertheless, Amarantha felt that quizzing the creature about it's physiology might not go over very well. If she tried to look into it's glowing mouth or take a sample of it's luminous tentacles she might find herself promptly uninvited. And given how much more pleasant the climate was here, the unicorn would prefer to avoid that.

So, instead, she dips her head in a quick, polite bow and walks into the gathered crowd.

 "Talk"


Amarantha
You were named for the Amaranth
Whose bloom means life unending
And whose name means "Love Lies Bleeding"


Anything from your Aspirations thread, determined by dice roll
Yes please!
The frozen north, Valkyrie’s home away from home, had offered a good many more comforts than she cared to really abandon. Thus it was, that the stubborn-hearted fool with the wings behind her ears had remained beneath the walls of her self-appointed ice palace, concocting a slew of conniving, cold plans that all but required hatching. Among these stood the idea of her own Sisterhood, a force to be reckoned with, here in the Rift, with priorities naturally leaning towards the upheaval of Hope and her stupid posse; but the thought needed direction, foundations, validation perhaps, though she refused to accept it.

Perhaps that was why her plan had not spread wings the way she’d anticipation…

It was well—Valkyrie had time—Roscorro, Rixen and his band of merry men (and wannabes), had been mentioned by only a handful of those she’d crossed paths with up until now. Presumably that meant that they were no further along in their, whatever their cause was, than the Shieldmaiden was hers; she was biding time, attaining momentum through power, power through possession, while they were probably still mopping up puddles after the rain. The pastel woman smirked too smugly as she strolled for the fifty-fifth time towards the generous, arched window of the cave. “Fools…” she chuckled and paused finally with blue eyes trained to the veil of grey above her valley.

“Tomorrow…

Yes, tomorrow I will scout the northern slopes of the Heimasborg for inspiration.”


Since her isolation, vanishing into this favourite network of glistening caves, Valkyrie had grown a rather inflated fondness for the sound of her own voice—no less herself—and had rehearsed her phonetics, pronunciation and big words, until she was sure it all sounded as wonderfully prestigious as K’yarie. In truth, as attractive as the desire to reunite with the celestial queen was, the smaller mare felt rather more inclined to parade her new sophistication and win perhaps a greater form of affection from her ally than she had already; perfection, after all, was an attribute they both admired properly.

Sliding a quiet glance left, the young horse smiled at her own distorted reflection in the curved, iced wall of the cave—

There was a sound though, suddenly, a murmur born upon the wind as it intruded, sweeping in through the window, and Valkyrie’s white ears craned heavily upon it.

The Rift, it seemed, was calling, and the self-absorbed creature could barely contain the overwhelming feeling of delight. An invitation? She thought privately, stepping again to search the world below, beyond, for any sign of the owner of the call. It was as though it was a summoning for her, alone—this world, at last, accepting the fact that she was more than mundane, better than the petty plebeians who fell in line with the narcissistic wishes of the chandelier, of Hope. Naturally, Valkyrie accepted, sweeping to the back of her room where the doorway stood in shadow; calling the spear from its pedestal as she went.

The weapon whistled through the air and fell beneath the marbled grin of its, now cantering, owner.

The dimness of the Heimasborg’s winding corridors was illuminated by the beam of light she called forth from her orb. It was a lesson quickly learned after the encounter with the wolf and the silly unicorn in the cavern nearest the surface, and the Shieldmaiden had little interest in falling prey to their secretive style (or anyone else for that matter), again. At speed, it took her little time to conquer the passageways beneath the mountain. Soon she was hustling south, following the sound on the wind to wherever it originated.

And that place was apparently the Pinnacle.

To Valkyrie’s surprise, and swollen disappointment, there were a good many others who had arrived at the glowing crevice before her. Cold gaze snaked between them, grazing faces and condemning the names who owned them: Roscorro, Rixen, the little blue runt who still looked diseased… She cut a path around their outside, hardly wishing to draw notice or be forced into any sort of interaction (such was the level of her respect for that herd’s members). There were stallions literally, everywhere—or so the curse had her believe—causing her pristine white hide to ripple with agitation. “What the hell is this?…” she muttered under her breath, spear clenched more tightly all the time. Then, with a hint of venom, she answered, “That’s exactly what it is, Valkyrie."

Hell.

image

- Anything from your Aspirations thread, determined by dice roll
- Yes!

Any are welcome to come and distract her!
 

Lost can mean so many things. The pale gold, not for the first time, but with much stronger feelings, was growing to appreciate the feathers at his back licking in warm flames. Through the Frozen North he’d begun to attempt a climb, but stopped short after meeting two new birds. There was a desire to know your land, and then there was suicide. The pale gold colt was young, bold, and had from time to time flirted with danger, but he was an idiot and he was no suicidal.

Yet, he was also still slightly unsteady on even the surest of trails, such as the firm high one he walked now. No word had come of his family, and the colt, as bitter as it made the taste in his mouth, was accepting that that was how it would stay. Never would he let them go, never would he not do a double take on a rosen or gold coat, but he, as we said, was also not suicidal, and could not let his heart pierce itself in its pain. Yet he was also young, and innocent, still so unused to the harsh cold winds of this world and its ability to separate, and blow families apart.

Not to mention, he didn’t entirely know where he was heading anymore. Surely he had a mental map, but his prior adventures had been so limited, this all was new territory. The Flats had been fascinating, and he’d enjoyed the illusion of warmth they gave. Still when he saw several birds ahead fly towards a peak and felt a pull of his own, the colt felt a strange bubbling excitement in his chest. (He was ‘found’.) His mother after all had been a lover of parities, her son it seemed, was more like her than he first appeared as he stepped into the first party of his life.

And it was warm. The dramatic landscape was lost to the boy as the warmth and ease flowed over him, and the horses! All kinds gathered here, and talked, and socialized. A bubble pressed in his throat, but he only let it surface in a faint smile. Shifting to the side of the group he saw afar a white mare, her sour dim face was one of the few, and the pale gold stopped a moment. Tempted to slip back her way to satisfy the curiosity which her distain and unheard mutterings brought forth. He also noticed absences, and did not see Rexanna (and he let a sigh escape that his questions might once again go unanswered).

The fire colt had other calls to make though, for he saw one coat he recognized that he dearly wanted to see. The stripped coat of Rixen lingered in the outskirts, and the colt found himself coming to the stallion, hiding his feelings less and less. “Rixen.” It rumbled, as he stopped to stand beside the creature, horned head high as he watched over the crowd. Without turning back he added, in a light amused way. “Is the offer of your hold still open?” Your offer of a home…of a herd…

It was only after that, and him looking over others that were looking ad indicating the creature that he saw it. The Protector. Tail whisks at his hocks and sea eyes flash with white curiosity. My my…who was this?

 
OOC :: 
"speech"
---
credits


If I could have something off the list here that would be wonderful, but I don't *think* I have enough RF for most of it? Still figuring RF out (XP) So IF NOT then I'd like the fourth option: Receive a personalized Rift Presence encounter, giving you either of the three above choices – dice rolls will decide which one!

Also no more mutations at the moment, he's still working off the shock of the last. XD

tagging because he spoke to him
paint my spirit gold
She had been weary from travel, but she could feel the call as it pushed toward her and seemed to summon her. Following its lead, she turned her trajectory to bring her toward the Pinnacle. Rexanna had never been here before, yet she welcomed the change in scenery. All she had seen in her year of traversing the Rift had been only through trees and forests, and the wide open expanse of the land around her was relieving to see. Hoofstep after hoofstep, she found herself growing warmer, the permanent chill that had settled into her bones had begun to relax as the warmth of the Pinnacle seeped through her pale gold skin.

She spotted a gathering up ahead, picking up her pace slightly to join them as to not miss out on anything. Marembo scampered ahead of her, his small lithe body making it easy to weave around the fallen bits and pieces of rock that had happened due to weather. Rexanna didn’t mind, however, instead she spotted Galahad beside Rixen up ahead and a great smile crossed her pale lips at finding people she knew. Yet she still scanned the crowd for any children, her smile faltering slightly as she didn’t see any of them. She came up beside Rixen, dipping her head to the blue stallion and to Galahad with that same smile across her face. “What’s this about?” She questioned, wondering if they had any idea what it could be. Her dark sapphire gaze lingering on the tentacle creature guarding the glowing Pinnacle.

"Talk."
rexanna
image credits


Rexanna would like an enchanted mystery item! :D
Yes to mutations!

Speaks to and
Kiada
The Harpy had followed a few of her herdmates here, though she had lingered a bit behind. Khairi had insisted on finding something to eat, and she took the time to mull over what this kind of event could be. Did something open? Was Hope doing something? Was Kisamoa destroying the world and making it so she’d have to try and fix it again? Grumbling slightly to herself at the latter of the three, she ended up falling behind from everyone else while Khairi hunted. She didn’t mind so much, honestly, it was good that the bird was back at it with the flying and hunting and no longer in the pain he felt from being crushed by a door.

She had something to be thankful for at least.

Sighing to herself once he was finally ready, he shot off like a bullet and she had to spend the time to catch up. At least in the cold of Freeze, galloping was an easy way to warm up her bones so long as she was careful to not slide against the ice. The Pinnacle was a place she had been before, and she enjoyed the atmosphere well enough – the Protector with his constant chatting, and what not. The last time she was here, she had danced with Rixen and told herself that her feelings were small and moot points. But that night they spent in Halyven together seemed to strike a different chord within her. Would there be more dancing? Could she maybe talk to him about it here? Or would it be better not in front of others just in case he didn’t feel the same?

The thoughts mulled in her mind as she made her way toward the gathering, before vanishing completely as she noticed a very familiar form standing beside Rixen. Her steps slowed slightly, down to a trot from a gallop as she approached the side of her mother and nearly ran into the older woman. “Mom?!” She nearly croaked as she embraced the golden woman, seeming to have forgotten about Rixen and Galahad in that moment and what the party might signify. “We have to stop finding each other at strange events like this.” She told Rexanna with a smile, burying her face in the grey strands of her mother’s mane. She stood much taller than her mother, the golden hues similar, you could definitely tell they were mother and daughter when they stood side by side.

"Talk."
there is something moon soaked and dawn flavoured about her.
something kissed by the wild and loved by lightning
image | coding


Kiada would like something off her Aspirations list here!
And yes to mutations! :D

This is like before. It is also... not. No joyous gathering streaming as one up the slopes. No sense of wonder, or of awe. If Seiji arrives late, he means no disrespect. But uncertainty goes to war in his chest, clashing against loneliness. Against hope. So he arrives with slow steps, his dark eyes cautious and perhaps a little dim to those who know him. He seeks none of them out; he reaches the edge of the gathering, not a group of one mind this time but a coalescing scattering of strangers, and there he stills. As he did at the meeting in Halyven: a soft, dark presence. His eyes pick out Kiada's golden shape and he almost approaches her, but she approaches another, a mare with a coat so similar to hers, and Seiji stills. He spies Roscorro, but he glances quickly away, their conversation on the beach too fresh. Better to find only strangers...

Yet he remains. He does not flee as he did from Halyven. He isn't sure just what he wants here, or why he has come, but he lingers. His eyes lift to trace the stranger features of the guardian. It appears peaceful, maybe happy. Could it know the answers he seeks? Could any of them, here...?

He scans the gathering once more, reproach and desperation aching in his heart. I should not, he thinks, but months of wandering begin to take their toll. He misses the warmth of companionship. He longs for the certainty of his old life, of knowing who he was and what he wanted. Here.... He does not belong here.

Seiji
If you only listen with your ears I can't get in

ooc// I hope I'm not too late. If I am the guardian can smack him on the nose ;D
> Receive a personalized Rift Presence encounter, giving you either of the three above choices
> mutations yes
You could still be what you want to —
(what you said you were when I met you)

Korri was rather distracted when he heard the noise. He was up in the air, and he was considering returning to Halyven as a good scout ought. Much as he enjoyed being able to introduce himself as scout of the kingdom, however, Korri was still not very good at loyalty. He wanted to return in case someone wanted to tell him he was doing a good job, but he didn't really look forward to seeing Roscorro or Rixen again. He did wish to speak with Kiada, but that could wait until he'd spoken with a few others first. So he was flying rather aimlessly, keeping an eye out for his bird but hardly expecting to find her. Feeling strange and frustrated and rather like just closing his wings and diving for no reason. Then he heard the protector's voice, and his flight wavered a bit but he was not in the mood to investigate, really.

Except that he was.

He always was.

Korri wavered over the decision for a while, arguing with himself because he had no one better to argue with, but eventually he turned in that direction. Curiosity remained a driving force in his psyche; it pushed him over there regardless of all else. He had never really explored the Pinnacle, anyway, so he harbored a small hope he might find Auga there.

He did not, of course.

What he did find was some sort of large creature and a great many others like himself. He spied several familiar faces: Roscorro, Rixen, Kiada, Galahad. Maybe he recognized one or two others from Hayven, but he had never met them. Blinking a little uncertaintly at the creature towering over them all, Korri slowly angled his flight path down, suspicious that the air here was so much warmer and also that so many people he knew were already present. It felt like a trap to every one of his senses, but he reasoned he was quick enough and clever enough to avoid danger. Probably.

His hooves touched down gracefully. Folding his wings, he bounced a handful of paces before his momentum dispersed. Then he stepped toward the nearest stranger. She hadn't any wings, and was indeed a strange color compared to those Korri was used to — violet and teal — but she didn't look particularly dangerous. He wondered if she had joined Halyven in his absence. "Hello! Do you know who that is?" He gestured at the large thing as if it looked friendly, and not — well, dangerous.
Korri
texture


ooc// tries to start a conversation with
> Receive an enchanted “mystery item”
> Sure
Eyelids widen, revealing their rims of crimson; of sleep deprivation. Surprise floods my waking, impoverished expression. The stress from our perilous journey thus far is placed at the back most part of my subconscious. Sunlight! It was there, a burning, astral orb – smiling, sitting pretty in a frothy, splendid ocean. "Noah!" excitement, (a sweet, unfamiliar thing) delicate contours bend, shifting to find his peaceful, sleeping face, "réveille-toi, regarde!" Fluttering lashes are drawn irresistibly upward -- moisture builds as they fight against that unfamiliar, startling glare. Nostrils flare, gently pulling mouthfuls of dry, warm air.

"It’s so warm."

Our campsite, pitched mostly in effort to stave off the cold, is humble – we'd taken refuge beneath the skeletal arms of some ancient, forgotten elms. Noah had curled around and against my body – acting the part of shield, heater and comforter. Peace. Calm. Celebration. The she-wolf bristles, snarling -- her triangular ears rotating alertly. My pulse kindles, rapping a loud, quickened tempo. Gooseflesh spreads like fire, "Noah," the previous enthusiasm in my voice dampens into uncertainty, "did you hear that?" Ivories click together, that wasn't right...Hear?

Feel...feel was more adept.

There was...a collection of figurative emotion(s), desire(s) which weren't mine. An alien song – with simple lyrics -- calm, peace, warm, soft, tranquility, celebration. It flows into my head, creating a slow, timely rhythm. These curled appendages draw forward, scrapping upon loose, warming soil -- they pause momentarily, summoning energy to push. The voice was undeniable, unquestionable; tempting. 'Magic,' the she-wolf hisses distrustfully. Without turning, I feel the Eagle, his heavy, feathered toes moving alongside. "Should we?" A pointless question, considering the answer is clearly shared, even reflected, in his brightening expression.

------

The unusual, comforting herd of equine bodies might've commanded my attention and curiosity -- after all, we'd barely seen anyone like ourselves for months -- might've, had their monster not demanded every atom of my awestruck concentration. These slender feet keep pace with Noah, angling to press our bodies within mere inches of each other. My head is continuously forced upward, notching further backwards the closer we get -- lips slip open, dry and gawking.... "Noah," hushed tones reach for his attention, "what is it?" Peace. Calm. Warmth. Celebration. Those telepathic message(s) combat my instincts...they combat the very core of my fragile, skittish nature.



OC: Hover over text for translation!

- Receive an enchanted “mystery item”
- Yes to mutations

Noah was not sleeping—not a chance!

The glaring, unexpected orb yonder, had pulled him back into to consciousness barely minutes earlier, and the warmth suddenly radiating through the frozen air around them had both unsettled and excited his skin; it crawled visibly, a chorus of delight and relief. Eyes swerve to meet the brightened gaze of his lover, feeding on the rare enthusiasm that pools within their pretty pink and blue centres, vortexes, he fought this time to withstand. A smile touched his dry lips, for the air had been long without humidity, and the pounding heart beneath his warm breast quickened alike.

It was a treat to see Nora free of glooms fast shackle.

“Aye, very he agreed, at last severing his adoring eyes from her face. There was a part of him fouled with scepticism, tarnished with wariness and mistrust, but for the moment he let her revel in the miracle, and softened his position to align—but her glee was easily felled, and the corners of the tentative eagle’s lips stooped with equally matched hesitation. There was a call, perhaps not carried by the wind, for it seemed hardly to puff through their makeshift abode beneath the elms, and it seemed to penetrated both his body and mind, ignoring the wall of flesh risen to fend off the elements, completely.

In similar motion, both affected it seemed, similarly, by the invasion, the eagle and his dove peeled their heated bodies from the earth.

The sound, or murmur of it through his interior, heart and soul, was without the wildness or malice he’d become accustomed too, here, in the Rift, but his breath held, baited, and the stallion’s proud visage perched warily. Aquamarines scoured their artificially lit surroundings, expecting a trap. Of course, as Nora stepped forward, his own heavy gait followed, feathered wing sliding along the movement of her own, folded limb; even he could not deny the beauty in the melody that chimed so delicately through his mind.

By the time they reached the source of the calling, a towering monument with its cracked centre aglow, a sea of bodies stood already by, apparently also unable to avoid the strangeness of the moment. Though they didn’t hesitate to close the distance, Noah noted his lover’s uncertainty as she pressed in close against his powerful frame; he answered, “I can’t be sure yet,” and at the same time allowed his figure to bristle and swell, should his suspicion be valid. Should any before them attack, the bold golden eagle would be ready and waiting.


image

, Any are welcome to approach. <3 Thank you

- Receive an enchanted “mystery item”
- Yes to mutations
They filed in, filling the lonely rocky landscape of the Pinnacle around them. It warmed the Protector’s heart, the idea that they had come and even a few of them took their time to greet him. His tentacles waved in absolute glee as they came, and he managed to somehow gather the same kind of magic the Matron had during the first party here to get a few beats of gentle music cascading through the walls of the world around them. Grinning, the Protector looked to them all, looming high among the clouds as his height often did. Yet he lowered himself then, looking very much like a sphynx as he surveyed the party and began to speak.

Thank you for coming. There’s really no reason I asked you to come here.” He admitted, refusing to admit to those that lived here that he was simply lonely and sought company. “I decided to throw a party. Enjoy yourselves, enjoy each other, and most importantly have fun!” He boomed, grinning again and bobbing his massive head to the music as he watched to see what they would do and how they reacted.

Then came the gifts, some appeared as if the Rift had known there would be a gathering to drop them on those that had heeded the call. Anything from items to markings to surprise magic, they all flooded down to randomly show up to those that deserved them. He grinned at the prospect, hoping that the coincidence of the Rift granting gifts would gain the Protector some appreciation. The creature was respectable, but he wasn’t above pretending that he was the one to give the gifts just to gain a few more friends.

“Talk.”
THE PINNACLE'S PROTECTOR
image



Don’t worry if you missed out on the first round! We will be continuing this for another week so you have a chance to still post and receive gifts! :) The final round ends when the Protector posts on the 26th of July! Please bear with us while we work on inputting the gifts! Here are the choices once again:
  • Enchant a currently owned item
  • Anything from your Aspirations thread, determined by dice roll
  • Receive an enchanted “mystery item”
  • Receive a personalized Rift Presence encounter, giving you either of the three above choices – dice rolls will decide which one!
Yes or no to Riftified Mutation!!

Results of the first round:

  • Roscorro: Magic!
    Offensive: Spines along his back can be detached and fly around to attack enemies, however if they are destroyed or damaged they take a week or more to regrow. Process is painful, itchy, and irritating.
    Rift mutation: Spines glow in the dark.

  • Hertz: Enchanted item!
    Offensive: Enchanted studded earrings that boost his magic level by 1 for a single attack.
    Rift mutation: Leaves traces of white, crackling electricity where he steps.

  • Ruwin: Companion!
    Wolfhound – you can bond to this companion whenever, just link to here as proof since you’re getting it before the RF and trial! :)
    Rift mutation: Where his mechanical wings connect to his body, his body grows like aperture widening to slot the wings in.

  • K’yarie: Magic!
    Immortality: Can only be killed by someone who truly loves her.

  • Zahra: Second Companion!
    Hanna the Kitsune (Helovian second companion)! You may rebond to this companion whenever, just link to here as proof since you’re getting it before the RF and trial! :)
    Rift mutation: Her body shines like gold in sunlight.

  • Eira: Magic!
    Offensive: Able to summon and control the intensity of rainfall.
    Rift mutation: Frost extends from the touch of her hooves.

  • Virga: Magic!
    Offensive: Able to draw light in an area into himself, lowering visibility. Doing so inspires a sense of terror in those nearby, the strength of which correlates with how dark he’s made the area.

  • Rixen: Enchanted Item!
    Defensive: Purple and gold silken cape that on command, can become an immoveable wall of cloth with the hardness of stone. It can provide ample cover and can be used as a shield.

  • Savera: Personalized Rift Presence Encounter!
    Stay tuned for a tag in the near future for you :)
    Rift mutation: During the day, her primary feathers glow with the essence of the sun.

  • Amarantha: Magic!
    Healing: Able to soothe and calm with her voice or music.
    Rift mutation: Body gets warm and tingly when she comes in contact with healing plants.

  • Valkyrie: Magic!
    Immortality: Immortal but can only die if a male stabs her with a Shieldmaiden’s spear through her heart.
    Rift mutation: Her wings glow white when she experiences heightened emotions.

  • Galahad: Companion!
    Ignatis – You can bond to this companion whenever, just link it here for proof since it’s not done via trial! :)

  • Rexanna: Mystery enchanted item!
    Defensive: Gold circlet that expands into a golden feathered cloak.
    Rift mutation: Flecks of gold on her body in the shape of fireworks.

  • Kiada: Enchanted item!
    Vanity: Large trunk that allows her to put all her items in, enchanted to be bottomless.
    Rift mutation: Horn crackles like its on fire when experiencing heightened emotions.

  • Seiji: Personalized Rift Presence encounter!
    Stay tuned for a tag for your personal RP encounter! :)
    Rift mutation: His stylized wing marking mimics a bird, moving like flapping wings when he moves and remaining still when he stops.

  • Korri: Enchanted mystery item!
    Defensive: A black raven pendant that when a specific phrase is said, turns him invisible.
    Rift mutation: Black raven feathers grow at the top of his tail.

  • Nora: Enchanted mystery item!
    Vanity: A medicinal bag that organizes plants and samples and keeps them alive for use.
    Rift mutation: Dark parts of her body extend in flower like shapes, blooming and wilting with the seasons.

  • Noah: Enchanted mystery item!
    Defensive: Gold feather pendant that expands into a gold helmet.
    Rift mutation: Leaves gold dust where he steps.


Remember if you don't like a mutation you can post in the account updates to have it removed :)
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