The hornet's nest [[Appy]] [[Still open]]

[twi]

It was like being in a drum. The air was stretched and tight, as if all across Forma Silvestris, the inhabitants waited for unspoken word, the beginning of something, though Ixori knew not what. So she had chosen to confront the nucleus of this power instead of waiting for it to come to her, as it washed throughout the land. She sensed that all would be affected by it, no matter if they wished to be or not.
Once Ixori made up her mind, so resolutely steeled as it was, nothing would turn her aside, not even her own misgivings. Not that she intended to involve herself in whatever was to happen. She just wanted to be there when it did.
She had been in the East Lands before, if only once. Funny it was begun the in the West she knew so well, that she now came to investigate. She would have thought that it was be an area more foreign to her. While she had traversed the East, she had briefly met Rama there, but that single encounter was enough to convince her that he was the cause of whatever was stirring. The black and white paint would make a formidable opponent for even the greatest warrior. He could probably crush her, if not as easily as he would think. Arriving in his homeland as an unallied stranger was just inviting trouble, but she just could not seem to keep herself from doing so. Of course, he was not the reason she was coming into the place of turmoil and unrest, so there was no reason to dwell on him. She just had to be on her guard for him when she arrived. Even now, she was crossing the border, she was unaware of how close she was to the enemy camp. While stubborn and fearless, Ixori was not a fool. She just had no idea of her proximity to the hornet’s nest and the danger it posed.

[aPPY]

Ramaskith quietly paced back and forth. There were looking for Oser though he seemed to be nowhere in sight. He growled low in his throat, the large lion patronus laying contently under a tree and pawing at the ground. Rama glared at the creature, continuing to dig a deeper trench of snow and mud under his feet. They just had to push further into the lands, perhaps finding him deep in the West. We was pretty sure everyone else had retreated to the farthest reaches of their own lands, and he smiled. There were finally seeing him as a threat. They were learning, these stupid, ignorant fools. They should have seen him as the threat he was long ago, but they fail to realize that their precious lives can be easily stolen if someone was willing to be the theif. And he was oh so willing. The had hand picked him to lead, so why wouldn't the others let him do it? He was destined to play this role and nothing could stand in his way. He was meant to stand on top and forever be obeyed by those lower than himself. It was just the way it was supposed to be. Why couldn't they see that?! He would show them. Their lack of belief and abundance of animosity toward him. Perhaps they were jealous because they did know, and so they only knew to rebel against him. Well, their actions would enforce appropriate punishments that he would gleefully dish out.

He turned, hearing someone approach him; where he stood a small distance away from the camp his advancing army had made for the night. He had wanted to keep going, but to march on endlessly in the cold would only make them all tired and uncomfortable as they faced the well-rested enemies. It was smart to pause if only for a short while. The figure was dark; mare and slightly dainty, holding the Egyptian lineage that so many in these parts did. He snorted, turning to face the equine as she neared him, wondering what she could possibly want. He eyed her warily, knowing that she wasn't part of his ranks and could just as well be sent from the opposing side. Once she was close, he took a step forward, causing her to stop her advance. "May I help you, madmoiselle?" He asked cautiously.

// 400 words

lalala

[/justify][/blockquote][/right]

[twi]

Ixori tripped along, not really paying attention to her surroundings. She was happier then she had been in a long time. Finally, she was doing something; a purpose was coming into her life, if only a meager one. She had to admit it, if only to herself; she liked adventure. Especially adventure with a purpose, even though this one was just to satisfy curiosity.
She increased her pace to a canter, listening to the tempo of her hoof beats. After a moment, one inky ear flicked foreword then backward in some confusion. She could have sworn that she heard hoof beats, hoof beats that were not her own, but so far away that they sounded like an echo of hers.
She was still cantering when she saw him, that black and white figure, now adorned with red.
What was is he doing here? were the first thoughts that entered her mind when she saw him. Then, brilliant just brilliant, Ixori. You couldn't have done a better job delivering yourself into his clutches if you had tried.
Knowledge of who he was did not stop or even slow her, however, and she kept at a steady canter until she was nearly level with him, only stopping when he addressed her. She had not planned to run from him anyway.
"May I help you, madmoiselle?" He asked.
What? Madmoiselle? She wondered if she had heard him correctly. The hilarity of her situation struck her then. She had just encountered the most dangerous equine in all of Forma Silvestris, knowingly entering into his territory, and here he was, greeting her oh so formally. She choked back a laugh, a smile still unintentionally resting on her face when she replied, "Indeed no, kind stallion. I simply come here seeking adventure."
Not the smartest reply, but then Ixori was in a reckless mood.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" "Indeed no, kind stallion. I simply come here seeking adventure." Ramaskith cocked an 'eyebrow' at this reply, stepping closer. "Oh?" he asked, his eyes sparking. Adventure? Well then she had certainly tried her hardest to find it, running into the Lord himself. He couldn'tnhelp but smile, wondering what she had hoped to gain from meeting with him, or if, perhaps, that she had no idea the danger she set herself in. Or maybe even quite the opposite, seeking him for this adventure she spoke of. "And what kind of...adventure do you seek, madmoiselle?" Perhaps he could help in the discovery of this adventure. He would certainly take pleasure in distracting himself, if only for a moment, from the stress of advancing on his enemy. There were always the questions in his mind, What if I fail? seemed to be the big one. Certainly the most annoying. He believe he could not fail, not after the first failure, but that small percent that claimed it was indeed possible still lingered there, still taunted him when his mind and the others around him were quiet enough. He would not let himself fail this time, not without death first; for that could be the only he would truly loose. He silently pushed the thoughts away, his mind already having started to run off in a never ending spiral of doub and confidence, both fighting against each other to end on top. Yes, a distraction would be most rewarding. ==Author's Comments . Word Count 237 . Notes - bleh. Sorry for the wait. I totally forgot this thread was here D: Hiding behind the war post, as it were. Anyway, I've replied now. Even if it is sort of a crap post. :/ . Muse - barely there . Tags - Ixori

[/color][/blockquote]

Header by Appy - Coding by Abba

[/color]
Do not steal[/center][/color][/td][/tr]
[/table][/center][/blockquote]

[twi]

Ixori tilted her head delicately to the side, eyeing Ramaskith quizzically. How uncharacteristic he seemed. Even past his polite words, forcedly polite though they were, she saw an amused sparkle in his eye as he studied her. She wondered how long he would play at this little game of his before snapping back to his normal, ruthless self. Perhaps he was a bit disconcerted by her easy manner. She decided to make the most of this welcome change, smiling back at him, a wicked smirk lurking beneath a seemingly pleasant grin. She would have fun keeping him guessing as to just how much she knew about him and her apparent ease in his presence, even as he had her perplexed. She stepped deliberately forward, so that she could look him in the eye. Almost automatically, her neck acquired a slight tilt to it, as she did when speaking to another. That was just how she was. She would be no one inferior, not even the great Ramaskith’s.
“Life is not life unless one chooses to make the most of it, to breathe deeply of both its dangers and pleasures. I do not have any sort of adventure in mind, but I sense that here in the West is where I will most readily find it,” she said.
Her words were spoken sincerely, for her itinerant’s life style had made her into something of a thrill-seeker. She was never content with the mundane, choosing to traverse the land at will no matter what obstacles it presented.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" “Life is not life unless one chooses to make the most of it, to breathe deeply of both its dangers and pleasures. I do not have any sort of adventure in mind, but I sense that here in the West is where I will most readily find it,” She had stepped closer to him, boldy and standing tall. He nodded once, agreeing with her statement. It was quite true, he believed, that you should not be afraid for dangers. He, more than anyone, knew that. He was knowingly putting himself into a situation where he could die, as he had so very many times before. He was not really afraid. There was always the doubt, the feeling that he would fail, and any smart equine would carry some amount of fear, if only it would save you in the end, but he almost enjoyed the sensation of putting himself in danger. Call it what you want, adrenaline junky, crazy, whatever; it was true. You couldn't just waste your life away. You must experience the bad in order to appreciate the good, as some people said. "Your senses tell you most correctly, papillon foncée," he said, turning and walking alongside the tall, dark mare, casting a glance over his shoulder. "And what sort of adventures did you have in mind, madmoiselle?" ==Author's Comments . Word Count 171 . Notes - shortness D: . Muse - rama muse is slipping lately. too dark. :/ . Tags - ixori

[/color][/blockquote]

Header by Appy - Coding by Abba

[/color]
Do not steal[/center][/color][/td][/tr]
[/table][/center][/blockquote]

[twi]

"Your senses tell you most correctly, papillon foncée. And what sort of adventures did you have in mind, madmoiselle?"


Ixori tilted her head delicately, amused at way Ramaskith was deliberately toying with his words. She smiled at him, holding back a laugh. She too, could play his little game.
"My senses rarely lie. And while I did not have any specific adventure in mind, I'd say that I am experiancing one now, for meeting another is always an adventure, no matter how slight. One never knows what could happen."
Her words had been bold, perhaps too bold. She realized that she was enjoying bantering words back and forth with Rama and wanted to prolong their civility. She looked at him curiously, as one of his phrases sunk in. Papillon foncée. The irony of his statement caused an eyebrow to elevate as she thought over his words.
Her violet markings, matching her eerie eyes, set her apart from most. They formed an intricate pattern on her pelt, swirled and haunting. She was no beauty, too ruggedly formed for that and her unnatural coloring only added to the fact that she was different. For a flash of a moment, she regretted not being formed pretty. She pushed the thought aside, almost angrily. She could be the lovliest mare in the land and still be thoughtlessly killed by Rama. He did not care for physical appearance. Still, his comment interested her.
"If I may ask, why is it that you called me 'Dark Butterfly'?" she questioned, eager to hear his reply.

[aPPY]

[bg=#120700][atrb=border,0,false][atrb=cellpadding,0,false][atrb=cellspacing,0,false][atrb=width,450,true][th] text "speech" thoughts "other characters' speech" Ramaskith smiled crookedly, nodding once again. Yes, meeting someone else was always adventure, but when the stranger was interesting...it made it that much more enjoyable. And this creature seemed all the more interesting with her words, spoken formally, paired with the exotic markings that graced her pelt, much as his did the same. Though hers were of a violet that matched the striking shade of her eyes, and his were of a bright red with no eyes to call their twin. Her face held a questioning expression as she asked about his use of the term 'dark butterfly' and he couldn't help but chuckle lightly, falling into a part he used to play a long time ago, with a voice in his head directing him. Only he knew how to be now, without instruction, for that voice was himself, of course, and it was still there, just not as...vocal. "Why, mademoiselle, what else shall I call you then, if that is not appropriate? Your dark, ebony pelt," he said, stepping forward and brushing his maw against the skin for emphasis, and continued walking around her, "Shows the darkness. Though the markings that run across it," he paused, touching the violet lines that twisted over the black, "Those are most interesting, and vibrant; much like a butterfly." His lips were still pressed against her skin and he looked up, pulling away as he met her eyes. "Though, if that title is not satisfactory enough for one such as yourself, I am most certain that a name could take it's place?" He asked, looking at her questioningly now. He had known that these strange markings were very uncommon among the equine species, and until now he had believed that he was the only one with such unnatural colors to grace his pelt. It was unsettling to think that someone shared the gift, though, she seemed uninclined to fight against him, so perhaps it was not such a bad thing, and perhaps he could grow used to it. Though, if not he could just kill her, but he believed this mare to be slightly more interesting alive and breathing at the moment. ==Author's Comments . Word Count 363 . Notes - lalala . Muse - mreh . Tags - ixori

[/color][/blockquote]

Header by Appy - Coding by Abba

[/color]
Do not steal[/center][/color][/td][/tr]
[/table][/center][/blockquote]

[twi]

Ixori’s skin crawled where it had been brushed. His breath burned as he exhaled. She could almost feel hot smoke lacing his breath. She forced herself to stay still, to keep her legs firmly planted. She would not allow herself to so much as to flinch away as he traced her markings. He was evil, she felt it strongly. She had seldom been so reviled by another’s touch. She did allowed herself to lazily turn towards him once he had retreated, as not to leave her flank unprotected. Fight,every instinct cried, fight you fool! No. She would not be the agressor. She would not show agression in the slightest, even as she refused to show weakness as well.
She faced him cooly, meeting his gaze with her own violet orbs. The way he still eyed her colorfully patterned coat amused her, for she though she could detect a semblance of envy in his gaze. Good. Keep him interested, always guessing at her veiled thoughts. She was her own refuge, her own stronghold. There was none she trusted so fully as herself.
His words struck her as guarded, as she thought over them. They were spoken easily, yet the way they hissed, slipping like honey from his lips, gave them an oily quality.
She paused delicately a moment before replying, letting Rama wait upon her words.
“Indeed no, I do not insinuate that ‘dark butterfly’ is not appropriate, now that you explain yourself. I must admit that I rather like the connotation. Still if it a name you so desire, it is a name you shall have. I am Ixori.”
She had considered toying with him, making him wait for a forthcoming name, but decided against it. It would not do to anger him; as it was she walked a fine line and was in danger of slipping over the edge.

[/color]

[Snowflake Smoky]

You find a single pendant weighed down under a rock in the nearby stream. It has a pretty black wood center with strange looking writing upon it! Whatever shall you do?