don't blink

VARUNA The ocean is familiar. You stay by it at all costs, not daring to leave the beach in case mother shows up. Wet sand sticks to your tender baby-skin and rubs it til it's raw; it works its way into every crevice, even sticks in your eyelashes. Still you stay. It feels safer than the dark forest, where shadows swallow you up in confusion and seem to feed on your despair. The wetness is inescapable. It comes down from the sky at all hours, and with it comes a hungry chill that seeps into your bones. You love rain. You are a child of the storms your mother commanded but you are weak and exposed. Tremors race through you, tiring your muscles til they ache. Your knees buckle under you and you collapse without a fight, moonspun lashes blinking away the sleepiness in your mis-matched eyes. Wings a bit too large for your size squeeze against you for what warmth they can muster. You rest your chin on a foreleg and little lungs heave a heavy sigh. You don't care that you're completely exposed to all the forces of this strange land and whatever manner of beast may find you. There is no pillar of strength to hide behind; no zap, hsss of static in your mother's feathers to hush you to sleep like a lullaby; no mighty wings to shield you from the never-ending rain. Your eyelids become heavy, and as your belly cramps and moans, sleep overcomes you, at last. and calm your heart, the dark is still the dark

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zchiraxicon maybe we can trade just for tonight? All this goddamn rain. As it was, he would be entirely soaked if he were to switch in his luv-cuddle form, cuz skunks ain’t built to withstand monsoons and that typa shit. Already he was soaked to his skin, mane plastered to his neck, the freezing drench doing nothing to sooth the sword cuts sliced through his pelt--except for rmaybe numbing it, shit I dunno. But that’s what made the sight of the lil’ kid even worse all out there alone in the open drench of it, lookin’ like a soggy chicken in the sand, laying there like an idiot even though logically there was a reason why a kid would stick around for no goddamn reason like that. Ma was gone somewhere, Chico guessed. And she hadn’t come back yet. Knowing this place--it wouldn’t really be all that shocking if Ma never came back. BOOm depression. Chico slinked out though, braving the sand (cuz it ain’t really all that bad, he never really figured out why she’d always bitch about it all the time, but fuck it) because even though warm fur was out of the question, his wings were large and looming and could at least shield some of the torrent off the kid. Maybe a lil. He approached said soggy chicken, a great webbed wing arching over the gangly, awkward babe, great lion’s head reaching forward with a gentle sniff, seeing if the tiny thing was as sleep as he looked. {OOPS CRASH This is Chico wandering all by himself!} You know, the one at W. 103rd and Broadway?

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V O L T E R R A OH, MY EYES ARE SEEING RED DOUBLE VISION FROM THE BLOOD WE'VE SHED "Get away from the child!" The voice is a thunderous, authoritative earthquake that echoes through this strange new land, and it's accompanied by the Indomitable in all his glory. He stands against the rain with his mane whipped into a frenzy by the wind, his thick muscles bulked and rippling and his face set in a terrifying snarl, staring down the hybrid creature that dares touch an innocent newborn. He launches towards the beast that approaches the innocent, resting child - a child that looks so familiar, so usual, even though the warlord can't put his finger on why - and throws himself up into a rear, flailing his white-splashed forelegs against the air to try and frighten off the colt's assailant. Vadir arches through the sky in front of him, circling around and opening her jaws in anticipation of fire that does not come - the Rift has stolen her powers, but she still has her teeth and claws and she will use them. Until she gets closer to the creature, that is, and can see that it's something she recognises. The image of the winged lion is sent to Volterra, who returns his massive forehooves to the ground with a mighty thud. "Ah," he acquiesces, rather shamefaced as he realises that this is in fact Roskuld's companion. The huge golden dragon snorts her amusement and circles around overhead, ready to pounce should the interaction turn sour. "Where is your bonded?" He's never directly spoken to somebody else's companion before, and has no idea whether he will be able to interact with the manticore. His muscles are still tense even as he speaks, because it occurs to him that, like Vérzés, this creature may have gone rabid. He may be nothing but a hunter, fixated on the tasty meal in front of him. He will have no chance of taking the colt down now Volterra is here, though. The monolith steps towards the youngster, looking sternly down at him. Despite his naturally fierce expression, his features are as warm as he can make them, as they always are when talking to youngsters. "Where's your mother, boy? You are too young to be out alone." He places his great bulk in front of the colt to shield him from some of the rain. He doesn't see the feathers yet; they're hidden in the wet, bedraggled heap of boy.

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@Varuna

VARUNA Shadows play behind your eyes and you are oblivious to the predator prowling after you. You likely wouldn't have the energy to care much anyway. Exhaustion has made your bones heavy and without food, you grow even weaker. No dreams play behind your eyelids—just sleep. Maybe you won't wake up, and that'd be just fine. Fate has different plans for you. A deep and thunderous voice startles you from your slumber, jolting you awake like you've been electrocuted. Your head jerks up, little limbs scrambling but still too worn out to lift you. Chimera eyes flit about your surroundings and at once you notice the odd bird-cat looming over you and your heart begins to race. You've never seen one, but those piercing predator eyes remind you on some primal level that this thing wants eat you. That doesn't sound so nice, so you cower away, fledgling wings batting uselessly against the sand. The world is strange and scary without mother, and you are brand new. Then a dark shape steps forward, and you wish you could collapse into yourself. His voice is loud and deeper than any you've ever heard. Your long ears flatten, and you peer shyly up at him with your muzzle tucked under a knee. You're like a wet, orphaned rat. Really, quite a pathetic, small thing that could be squashed easily by the giant towering above. You feel frail and vulnerable. Still... though the great shadow is imposing, it doesn't seem threatening. In fact, you feel almost safe as it leans in and blocks some of the rain. You muster the courage to lift your nose up to him, attempting to sniff. Your mother's feathers zap against your skin, granting you a bit of bravery. Where is your mother, boy? It's a question more daunting than the stranger, itself; enough to make him cower again. He says nothing, just shakes his head and hides his nose back under his knee as though trying to hide and go back to sleep. and calm your heart, the dark is still the dark

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@Roskuld @Volterra

V O L T E R R A OH, MY EYES ARE SEEING RED DOUBLE VISION FROM THE BLOOD WE'VE SHED The colt doesn't respond, and Volterra frowns. Is he mute, or merely struck dumb by the fear and cold? Sympathy rises in his chest for the poor youngling, as God knows what has happened to him during his short life so far. Nonetheless, the boy greets him with a warm muzzle and the stallion reciprocates, always willing to offer a small crumb of kindness to foals who need it. He might be a bad man in most senses of the word, but not when it comes to children. As the youngling's neck unfurls to lift his muzzle, Volterra catches sight of the feathers. Their zapping, crackling energy sends a sudden spasm of knowledge through his body - could it possibly be? He knows those feathers. He knows the owner of those feathers to be a mare that embodied the storm itself, a mare that had fought loyally for his herd, a mare he'd taken to his bed shortly before Helovia's demise. Could it possibly be that their tryst had placed a child in her womb? The coincidence seems far too great, but the behemoth's interest is thoroughly piqued now. "Who...gave you those feathers?" he asks, trying to keep his voice soft. Gently he tries to press his muzzle beneath the sodden child's underside, seeking to lift the boy to his feet. It's not safe for him to be lying down, especially with beasts lurking nearby - even if those beasts appear to be bonded ones.

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@Varuna

VARUNA Warm breath puffs from your nostrils as they brush against the large stranger's muzzle. You shy a bit at the closeness. He is so much larger than you, and you can feel the power in his breath as it mingles with your's, so meek and frail.  Who gave you those feathers?  With ears pressed back, almost cowering as you peer up at him, your lips quiver with the answer, faltering because you're unsure why it matters to him. Does he mean to take them from you? You snort. "They're momma's feathers," you answer, trying to stand as the great shadow urges you onto your feet. You oblige the nudge, trying your best to lift your body even though it is so tired. It fights you, magnetized to the earth. Eventually, you manage. "But they're m- mine now!" you add defensively, a hoarse wheeze interrupting your words. You think nothing of it. Your little limbs are splayed, chest heaving and belly all cramped up with hunger. Tendrils of wet hair stick to your face, stick all over you, and you feel sticky, wet, and exposed. The stress in your eyes is unmistakable. and calm your heart, the dark is still the dark

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@Volterra sorry for the not great quality. he's wheezing a bit from his condition

LUMINAR As he explored the cliff above the beach, Luminar spotted the duo from high above. He watched for a long moment what was unfolding below him, straining to hear above the whipping wind that came in frenzied gusts at this altitude. These two were the first equids he had laid eyes on since entering the portal. (Unbeknownst to him) Curiosity got the best of him and he began to pick his way down a narrow path in the cliff, sitting on his haunches and letting gravity do most of the work. The salt from the sea was tingling his senses and he breathed deeply, a smile playing on his  soft white lips. Rocks fell around him and he made an awful clamor as his bulk slipped and scooched along down the embankment. Obviously they would know he was coming- a great black mass half tumbling half skidding down the cliff. Whether or not they were friendly was a fleeting question, one that he was prepared to face when he had all four hooves on the sand. Finally, after was seemed like forever and a day, he touched the sand with his black hooves and looked about. He got a close up look now, a great stallion and a small silver winged babe. The stallion looked strikingly similar to Luminar. He was caught off guard by the white face and the hulking black body. The only huge difference was this creature had a beautiful full tail, while Luminar had a messy stub of hair. He was taller than Luminar as well, by about five inches, but they were of the same weight class. It will be an even match. Luminar decided. If it comes to that. Years of war had taught him to be wary of everyone, always planning ahead. He bowed his head to the great stallion, disregarding the babe, and held his silence. "Talk." quote goes here! and more than one!

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@Varuna @Volterra is it okay if I poke in here? Luminar knows no one in this place and he really needs to meet some people!

V O L T E R R A OH, MY EYES ARE SEEING RED DOUBLE VISION FROM THE BLOOD WE'VE SHED They're momma's feathers. It's all the confirmation that he needs. This is Azulee's child - this is his child. He is silent for a moment as he stews over this fact, as he feels the telltale tightening of his heart that shows he's found another offspring to love, to cherish, to protect. His brood is expanding daily, yet each one is valued, and each one will receive his undying devotion. "What's your name?" he questions, keeping his voice soft and trying to put the lad at ease. Volterra's mind is in turmoil now; does this mean Azulee is dead? Why else would her son be so completely alone? "I am Volterra, and the dragon is Vadir. I....knew your mother. She may have spoken of me..." His voice trails off and before he can continue with his revelation, there's a whisper of feathers and a thud of a stranger. Immediately the warlord is on the defensive, twisting his huge bulk around to place himself in front of the colt, a black barrier of muscle and brawn between his son and the newcomer. It is a pegasus, and seems normal enough in appearance - his white markings are strikingly similar to the Indomitable's own, although the leviathan is quietly confident that he has more than enough strength to take down the other male should he prove a threat to his newest son. The one thing the Rift has not taken away is his ability to fight. "And you are?" The thick rumble is as authoritarian as always, aiming to deter this stranger from any course of action that might involve trying to harm the colt that Volterra is now protecting. It will not end well for him if he tries anything nefarious.

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@Varuna @Luminar