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+--- Thread: Blackfeather Woods my legs refused to walk away (/showthread.php?tid=30082)
my legs refused to walk away - Relmyna - October 08, 2018
set in redgrove
quietude, solitude, moonlight glowing down in eldritch scarlet beams as the woman moved beneath the cover of nightfall.
it was the ravens she sought
why would they answer?
and it was for them she searched this night.
perhaps it was not known to many, perhaps no one cared to see the haze in which mou and maegi comported themselves. they hurt no one; they merely existed outside reality as did her own daughters. and yet relmyna saw the gloss for what it was, if only for the reason that she walked on this night with poppy bleeding her tongue.
her seizings had grown more pronounced, and for all the time that relmyna knew she must hide them, she was afraid they would come to light. and so she had turned to herbs, to poisons that would relax her body so that her mind could not rack it with such trembles again. portions of her life she would gladly trade to see her children to adulthood, see blackfeather at peace.
poppy was not something she enjoyed, for its kiss caused her clarity to stumble. and so she did not indulge often, preferring the sharp knife of spores. but tonight she was in need, for tonight she sought the ravens, and could not fathom looking upon their bright eyes without her own secret horror.
it was the ravens she sought
why would they answer?
and it was for them she searched this night.
perhaps it was not known to many, perhaps no one cared to see the haze in which mou and maegi comported themselves. they hurt no one; they merely existed outside reality as did her own daughters. and yet relmyna saw the gloss for what it was, if only for the reason that she walked on this night with poppy bleeding her tongue.
her seizings had grown more pronounced, and for all the time that relmyna knew she must hide them, she was afraid they would come to light. and so she had turned to herbs, to poisons that would relax her body so that her mind could not rack it with such trembles again. portions of her life she would gladly trade to see her children to adulthood, see blackfeather at peace.
poppy was not something she enjoyed, for its kiss caused her clarity to stumble. and so she did not indulge often, preferring the sharp knife of spores. but tonight she was in need, for tonight she sought the ravens, and could not fathom looking upon their bright eyes without her own secret horror.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Maegi - October 08, 2018
Blue was somewhere up there, among the ravens. Perhaps if she looked hard enough, she would see him. But Maegi's eyes were fixed on the pale woman, staring up at the birds. The crippled wraith padded over to her, making no attempt to soften her tracks but not calling out, either. She materialized at Relmyna's side, a slightly-smaller shadow of the Listener.
"I don't think the ravens are fond of me," Maegi remarked, smirking. "I'm the one that brought Blue, after all. Some of them like him--some of them definitely don't." But Maegi had never been close to the blackfeathered birds. Her brothers had been blessed with more of a connection; for her, they simply were, figures in the background, things to be ignored.
She looked over at Relmyna, noting the smallness of her pupils--a poppy haze. "Are you all right?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. She had never known the Listener to take poisons. It was too much like Potema--too much like herself--and she just barely resisted a shudder.
"I don't think the ravens are fond of me," Maegi remarked, smirking. "I'm the one that brought Blue, after all. Some of them like him--some of them definitely don't." But Maegi had never been close to the blackfeathered birds. Her brothers had been blessed with more of a connection; for her, they simply were, figures in the background, things to be ignored.
She looked over at Relmyna, noting the smallness of her pupils--a poppy haze. "Are you all right?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. She had never known the Listener to take poisons. It was too much like Potema--too much like herself--and she just barely resisted a shudder.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Relmyna - October 09, 2018
her senses expanded
they were near
the pale one with ragged path
relmyna did not pull her eyes from the sudden flurry of glossblack wings, and then a conspiracy of ravens spread out before them. the knowing glint of their gazes resting upon the listener and the young priestess. maegi inquired then into the wolfess' well-being; the turquoise stare did not attempt to hide the effects of the dose she had taken.
i am —
i am dying, maegi, and i do not know the number of my days.
there! to say it aloud! finally, finally. and there passed such a peace over relmyna that she wove muzzily upon her paws, fighting for balance. at last her gaze drew from the ravens and she fixed its unblinking glimmer upon the young melonii. even the effort it took to form silent words now evaded relmyna, but the harsh voice of a raven drove them from her all the same.
i know i have failed you —
for pretending at motherhood when i should have guided your steps.
the last she finished in thought, unable to speak the sentiment into existence. but it was true, was it not? she was not the mother of cicero's earlier brood; she should never have attempted to be so. they needed no mother, those three; the shadows of blackfeather had reared them. and what of her own? what life could there be for daughters that did not speak nor exist within a mortal sphere? why had cicero been taken?
too many questions.
relmyna turned back to the ravens.
they were near
the pale one with ragged path
relmyna did not pull her eyes from the sudden flurry of glossblack wings, and then a conspiracy of ravens spread out before them. the knowing glint of their gazes resting upon the listener and the young priestess. maegi inquired then into the wolfess' well-being; the turquoise stare did not attempt to hide the effects of the dose she had taken.
i am —
i am dying, maegi, and i do not know the number of my days.
there! to say it aloud! finally, finally. and there passed such a peace over relmyna that she wove muzzily upon her paws, fighting for balance. at last her gaze drew from the ravens and she fixed its unblinking glimmer upon the young melonii. even the effort it took to form silent words now evaded relmyna, but the harsh voice of a raven drove them from her all the same.
i know i have failed you —
for pretending at motherhood when i should have guided your steps.
the last she finished in thought, unable to speak the sentiment into existence. but it was true, was it not? she was not the mother of cicero's earlier brood; she should never have attempted to be so. they needed no mother, those three; the shadows of blackfeather had reared them. and what of her own? what life could there be for daughters that did not speak nor exist within a mortal sphere? why had cicero been taken?
too many questions.
relmyna turned back to the ravens.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Maegi - October 10, 2018
She had wanted to talk about Cicero and the girls, but this revelation blew all other thoughts away. Maegi stared at her, jaw hanging slightly, in disbelief about what she'd just heard. Dying? But she was fine! She had led the hunt! And then there was another statement, and she was shaking her head, regret purling in her stomach--
"The world failed me," she said quickly, steering Relmyna away from her misguided conclusion. "I shouldn't be alive, but I am." Are you? "What do you mean you're dying? What's wrong?" The girl peered suspiciously at the pale Listener, as if trying to read all her vitals from a single glance. "And if you're dying--"
What would they do? Kove was all but absent, and the strength of the woods had been whittled down to something nonexistent. There was no Vaati, no Damien, no Aries or Nyx. No Cicero or Potema. No Koume--Kotake--Ganondorf. Ramsay and Euron gone, too. Their legacy was bleeding out, and the wound would be opened further with Relmyna's departure.
"The world failed me," she said quickly, steering Relmyna away from her misguided conclusion. "I shouldn't be alive, but I am." Are you? "What do you mean you're dying? What's wrong?" The girl peered suspiciously at the pale Listener, as if trying to read all her vitals from a single glance. "And if you're dying--"
What would they do? Kove was all but absent, and the strength of the woods had been whittled down to something nonexistent. There was no Vaati, no Damien, no Aries or Nyx. No Cicero or Potema. No Koume--Kotake--Ganondorf. Ramsay and Euron gone, too. Their legacy was bleeding out, and the wound would be opened further with Relmyna's departure.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Relmyna - October 10, 2018
the wood churned with the shift in maegi's tones; relmyna steadied herself on the edge of the young priestess' voice. for this moment, all things were good — her blood beat more warmly. it was not a good thing, the edge to the melonii's words, nor the rot that grew in the listener, but to be with one another now, here, beneath the knowing eyes of the ravens she had sought
it was good
for a year, i was cicero's thrall. i tested his poisons. i was not awake. months of horrid migraines had been all relmyna gleaned when she had attempted to know the why of her lost year. and now it mattered not. maegi, she murmured noiselessly after a moment, brow furrowing. you were with me when astara and averna were born. we drove
iliksis. demon. ache.
an outsider from the den, kove and i. and after that, i collapsed. i shook. i was not myself.
she had no word for the violent seizings that sometimes went on for an unendurable amount of time, locked within the recesses of her own shrieking mind. i have kept them quiet since, these times when i can do nothing except shake and tremble. but they have happened since before the children were born. and they have worsened now.
a swallow; she moved her gaze slowly back to the blackfeathered boughs of silent, watching eyes. relmyna drew a harsh breath, and her attention was maegi's once more, a sad smile tugging at her scarred lips. the gods gave me a year and two daughters. i want only to devote the remainder of my life to them. and i want you to follow me, as listener.
was it a choice? was it a demand? her seafoam eyes lingered on the girl, tracing the beauty still fiercely existent beneath the scars. and then a flurry of blinking as tears sprang unbidden to their corners.
who hurt you?
she could not keep from asking.
it was good
for a year, i was cicero's thrall. i tested his poisons. i was not awake. months of horrid migraines had been all relmyna gleaned when she had attempted to know the why of her lost year. and now it mattered not. maegi, she murmured noiselessly after a moment, brow furrowing. you were with me when astara and averna were born. we drove
iliksis. demon. ache.
an outsider from the den, kove and i. and after that, i collapsed. i shook. i was not myself.
she had no word for the violent seizings that sometimes went on for an unendurable amount of time, locked within the recesses of her own shrieking mind. i have kept them quiet since, these times when i can do nothing except shake and tremble. but they have happened since before the children were born. and they have worsened now.
a swallow; she moved her gaze slowly back to the blackfeathered boughs of silent, watching eyes. relmyna drew a harsh breath, and her attention was maegi's once more, a sad smile tugging at her scarred lips. the gods gave me a year and two daughters. i want only to devote the remainder of my life to them. and i want you to follow me, as listener.
was it a choice? was it a demand? her seafoam eyes lingered on the girl, tracing the beauty still fiercely existent beneath the scars. and then a flurry of blinking as tears sprang unbidden to their corners.
who hurt you?
she could not keep from asking.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Maegi - October 10, 2018
Gods, this was. . .this was a lot. Maegi listened with horror clearly etched into her expression, each word a chill. Cicero's thrall. Like Coelacanth, she had been held here against her will. And now she was sick. She was dying. And it was Cicero's fault--but he would never be held accountable. No, now Relmyna suffered for his sins, and he got away.
A job offer came, too. It was too much all at once. She considered fleeing, but then the question was asked, a query much easier to tackle. A query she had answered before, and would have to answer many more times before her death. She sighed, shifting her weight, the scarred side of her face the part exposed most to Relmyna.
"Skullchaser," Maegi answered. "When I find him, I will kill him." It wasn't a wish, nor yet an item on a bucket list. It was an order to herself, a code by which to live. It would be fulfilled; she would see to it. She became aware, slowly, that the madness of Cicero lie in her orange eye, and turned, so that the Listener saw naught but Melonii indigo.
"Why me?" she asked. "I don't have the pawprint. I don't know all the prayers and rituals. I'm young." She wasn't trying to argue; she was merely curious. Was she the successor for lack of other candidates, or had Relmyna kept her in mind all this time?
A job offer came, too. It was too much all at once. She considered fleeing, but then the question was asked, a query much easier to tackle. A query she had answered before, and would have to answer many more times before her death. She sighed, shifting her weight, the scarred side of her face the part exposed most to Relmyna.
"Skullchaser," Maegi answered. "When I find him, I will kill him." It wasn't a wish, nor yet an item on a bucket list. It was an order to herself, a code by which to live. It would be fulfilled; she would see to it. She became aware, slowly, that the madness of Cicero lie in her orange eye, and turned, so that the Listener saw naught but Melonii indigo.
"Why me?" she asked. "I don't have the pawprint. I don't know all the prayers and rituals. I'm young." She wasn't trying to argue; she was merely curious. Was she the successor for lack of other candidates, or had Relmyna kept her in mind all this time?
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Relmyna - October 11, 2018
the revulsion writ onto maegi's features gave relmyna pause; she turned the words of the young priestess over in her mind — she committed the name skullchaser to memory. alone, it meant nothing, but he had been a beast to lay violence upon maegi. relmyna cursed his seed easily within the recesses of her mind and let it alone for now.
her offer was not accepted, and it was confusing for the woman, or perhaps she had equated melonii haughtiness with ambition. was there a chance maegi did not wish to rule the wood? it was difficult for relmyna to imagine that the wood would not go to a child of cicero, but perhaps —
ravenflight; they lifted and winged themselves up and up and up into the eldritch glow. a slow stare after them, a sigh that seemed to expand her muscles out and out and out, until her body seemed to unravel. she looked at maegi. because there is more than one way to serve blackfeather as listener. i am not a melonii, and yet — here she gestured to the homage of red along her shoulder — i am chosen.
i use my own prayers, i follow the mother. and i am old, to be beginning my service to the gods. a glow filled her turquoise gaze; if maegi permitted, relmyna reached to brush her pale cheek. i have always wished it to be you.
did cicero watch them now, and if he did, was this pleasing before him?
her offer was not accepted, and it was confusing for the woman, or perhaps she had equated melonii haughtiness with ambition. was there a chance maegi did not wish to rule the wood? it was difficult for relmyna to imagine that the wood would not go to a child of cicero, but perhaps —
ravenflight; they lifted and winged themselves up and up and up into the eldritch glow. a slow stare after them, a sigh that seemed to expand her muscles out and out and out, until her body seemed to unravel. she looked at maegi. because there is more than one way to serve blackfeather as listener. i am not a melonii, and yet — here she gestured to the homage of red along her shoulder — i am chosen.
i use my own prayers, i follow the mother. and i am old, to be beginning my service to the gods. a glow filled her turquoise gaze; if maegi permitted, relmyna reached to brush her pale cheek. i have always wished it to be you.
did cicero watch them now, and if he did, was this pleasing before him?
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Maegi - October 11, 2018
The birds departed--was Blue with them? Yes. . .she saw his slightly lighter plumage among the sea of black feathers, fluttering upward. She blinked, slowly, then returned her gaze to Relmyna. Her eyes widened by surprise as the Listener touched her cheek and then said something she had not expected in the least: I have always wished it to be you.
Maegi, who had abandoned the forest? Maegi, who had let her brothers go? Maegi, whose chosen god was the pestilential Peryite, rather than cool Sithis or scheming Mephala?
Why not Astara or Averna? They were of Relmyna's blood and Melonii. Surely they must rank higher in the woman's mind than Maegi?
She had so many questions, and she asked none of them. Why bother? Relmyna had spoken; she could only assume it to be true. Honesty--Relmyna had always been honest with her. Even when the truth was much more difficult than spilling a white lie. "Thank you," Maegi responded, her voice sincere. "I. . .I'll do it. But I hope I don't have to, for a long time yet."
How much time do you have?
"I'm sorry about what my--my father did to you," she whispered, again thinking of Coelacanth. Had he tortured her, too? "Tell me. . .did you see him again, after the war? Did he come back with my brothers?" He had not been with them, by the sea. She had thought then that he had returned to the woods. Obviously she knew now that was not the case.
Maegi, who had abandoned the forest? Maegi, who had let her brothers go? Maegi, whose chosen god was the pestilential Peryite, rather than cool Sithis or scheming Mephala?
Why not Astara or Averna? They were of Relmyna's blood and Melonii. Surely they must rank higher in the woman's mind than Maegi?
She had so many questions, and she asked none of them. Why bother? Relmyna had spoken; she could only assume it to be true. Honesty--Relmyna had always been honest with her. Even when the truth was much more difficult than spilling a white lie. "Thank you," Maegi responded, her voice sincere. "I. . .I'll do it. But I hope I don't have to, for a long time yet."
How much time do you have?
"I'm sorry about what my--my father did to you," she whispered, again thinking of Coelacanth. Had he tortured her, too? "Tell me. . .did you see him again, after the war? Did he come back with my brothers?" He had not been with them, by the sea. She had thought then that he had returned to the woods. Obviously she knew now that was not the case.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Relmyna - October 15, 2018
a soft falling of her eyelids; a muzzy smile. i loved cicero as much as i was able. i knew it then. i knew it now. what he did is cruel, but it shaped me. could she have been a vessel for mephala if she had not been first a cistern that sheogorath might mold upon a potter's wheel? her gaze was fond.
maegi, who had come back. maegi, who had remained dedicated to the wood. maegi, who had forged her own way, chosen her own god. i am loyal to blackfeather before i am loyal to its dark master or mistress. i believe it is what meldresi wanted. her words were perhaps nonsensical, but speech moved all the same through her. i think you will be the same.
thoughts butted sadly up against the wall posed by maegi's next inquiry; relmyna's countenance fell and she turned back to where the ravens had been. he did not return. i know he died beyond the wood.
she saw no reason to give maegi the details of cicero's death — unbeknownst to her, those would be snarled at a later time — only the knowledge that he had died. wherever the gods have led ramsay and euron, they are blessed. blackfeather calls in your blood, and i have faith they will return, as you did, relmyna added, turning back to the girl.
maegi, who had come back. maegi, who had remained dedicated to the wood. maegi, who had forged her own way, chosen her own god. i am loyal to blackfeather before i am loyal to its dark master or mistress. i believe it is what meldresi wanted. her words were perhaps nonsensical, but speech moved all the same through her. i think you will be the same.
thoughts butted sadly up against the wall posed by maegi's next inquiry; relmyna's countenance fell and she turned back to where the ravens had been. he did not return. i know he died beyond the wood.
she saw no reason to give maegi the details of cicero's death — unbeknownst to her, those would be snarled at a later time — only the knowledge that he had died. wherever the gods have led ramsay and euron, they are blessed. blackfeather calls in your blood, and i have faith they will return, as you did, relmyna added, turning back to the girl.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Maegi - October 19, 2018
It was a twisted love she spoke of, one she couldn't quite understand. How could you love your captor? She thought of harboring affection for Skullchaser, and shuddered; it just wasn't possible. Maegi's supply of love was short--she wasn't going to waste it on those who would harm her in any way. To each their own, though.
It was awfully presumptuous this non-Melonii would pretend to know what Meldresi would have wanted, but she held her tongue on that matter, too.
It was awfully presumptuous this non-Melonii would pretend to know what Meldresi would have wanted, but she held her tongue on that matter, too.
I treated his wounds the best I could, and then he left with my brothers,Maegi argued, disliking the thought of her father's body in an unknown location. Still, lifeless. No one to remember him there.
He could be alive, somewhere. But he wasn't with my brothers when I saw them last.She swallowed, looking away. Affecting much interest in a nearby tree.
I hope they come back.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Relmyna - October 23, 2018
it was a burden to be dealt the loss of so many at one time. relmyna recalled the moment she had found the last place cicero had lain in blackfeather. trembling, she had wanted to follow, but heavy with her night-and-daystars, the woman had opted at last to stay within the confines of the wood. relmyna could scarce imagine maegi's pain at this moment.
at least the girl had seen him before she departed.
no.
that is unfair.
the patchwork wolfess shifted somewhat, ears cupping toward the yearling. the ones who escorted you here, what are they like? she spoke mostly in regard to the salt scent that had wreathed the tall, beautiful creatures, and even maegi for a time. the listener knew of the sea, but could not recall having seen it. turquoise eyes soft with curiosity, she was still then.
at least the girl had seen him before she departed.
no.
that is unfair.
the patchwork wolfess shifted somewhat, ears cupping toward the yearling. the ones who escorted you here, what are they like? she spoke mostly in regard to the salt scent that had wreathed the tall, beautiful creatures, and even maegi for a time. the listener knew of the sea, but could not recall having seen it. turquoise eyes soft with curiosity, she was still then.
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Maegi - November 02, 2018
She was grateful for the change in subject, for the chance to talk about lighter things. Maegi smiled softly, her eyes slitting half-shut as she thought of the island. The smell of salt rose around her; she swore she could hear the nearby murmur of waves. It was poignant, and surprisingly. . .real. The only two places she thought of in this detailed way were Blackfeather Woods. . .and Wheeling Gull Isle.
She would have to return, eventually, to visit. But what if Relmyna were to die soon? Maegi's duties as Listener would preclude her from any travels.
Would she ever see them again?
They were kind, and loving,Maegi said quietly, her lids lifting to stare dreamily at Relmyna.
I did not deserve them, but they took me in anyway. They have the biggest hearts of anyone I've ever met.Oh, Coelacanth. Venninne. Dear Reed. A ripple of homesickness overcame her, nauseating, and she looked away, gritting her teeth.
She would have to return, eventually, to visit. But what if Relmyna were to die soon? Maegi's duties as Listener would preclude her from any travels.
Would she ever see them again?
RE: my legs refused to walk away - Relmyna - November 03, 2018
sorry for the wait! fade with your next post? <3
had relmyna known the turmoil on the young melonii's mind, her decision might have been shifted. but she did not know, could not know, that maegi ached for the sea. a breeze rose, and with it the cold promise of wintertime to come. the listener sighed, turning her warm eyes upon the girl. the drug had begun to clear from her psyche; the birds had flown.
slowly she stood, and if allowed, would brush the yearling's shoulder with her muzzle. i thank the mother for your return. there was not more to say; relmyna lingered only a moment before she sought to leave maegi with whatever communion she sought. small paws carried her into the shadows, and soon she had disappeared from view.
slowly she stood, and if allowed, would brush the yearling's shoulder with her muzzle. i thank the mother for your return. there was not more to say; relmyna lingered only a moment before she sought to leave maegi with whatever communion she sought. small paws carried her into the shadows, and soon she had disappeared from view.