Unexpected (Closed)

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Home of the Konti people, this ivory city is built of native konti stone half in and half out of the sea. Its borders touch the Silverwood, and stretch upwards towards Silver Lake, home of the infamous konti vision water. [Lore]

Unexpected (Closed)

Postby Gromhir on February 14th, 2010, 11:26 am

14th Day of Winter 509 AV


Gromhir never really liked leaving Kamalia. He felt a lot happier when she was around, no matter where they were. He worried about her safety all the time but that was because he cared, it wasn’t just his duty. Still, she was safe in her buildings with her books, studying. But he had needed to stretch his legs. It had been a few days since he had been out running with Skyla’s pack and it would be another day still once today was over. He had spent a lot of time reading over the past few days and helping around the Timandre Household. He had helped to sweep the floors and dust the shelves while spending time learning with Kamalia.

But now, he had time to himself. Bells were what they were called. It was what human’s measured time in. The need for humans to quantify everything astounded him. He assumed it made things easier but it was not something that he saw as important. Days were so long afterall. To him, there was dawn, midday, dusk and night. Why should they be called anything else? What was wrong with those measurements? “They’re too vague, Gromhir,” Kamalia’s musical laugh rang out in his ears and he smiled. The stoic Kelvic gave a genuine smile.

It was polite to smile after all. Even if he did not understand the joke, he was told he should smile. He didn’t really understand jokes at all. Another odd bit of language, there was so much that went into it. Kamalia had lost him at sarcasm. Was it sarcasm? It expressed dislike through the opposite of what was being said. Kamalia had said she wasn’t very skilled at sarcasm and couldn’t explain it very well. He had to find someone who knew it well. He wasn’t sure he could recognise sarcasm.

Splash! Gromhir was awoken from his stupor. It wasn’t really the rain that bothered him nor was it the puddle that his foot was now submerged in. The noise. He made too much, he always had. He could track his prey and he could take them down easily but he always made too much noise and in the past it had cost him a meal. Not that he had those worries here. The Konti made sure he was provided for but he would always hunt every few days, whether it was with Kamalia or Skyla never bothered him. But today, he was on his own in the White Woods. Here, alone, making noise could spell a failed hunt.

Thankfully, he knew many of the grazing patterns of most of the herds and knew there was little chance of him being spotted or heard out here. He continued walking despite his now sodden foot. In this rain, there was all the chance that he would be soaked anyway. He knelt down in front of one of the larger bushes. The cupped leaves holding the water in small pools on their surface. The Kelvic lifted one and watched the water dance down the leaf’s oily surface. All the plants of the isle were paler shades of their Syliran counterparts. He remembered reading that it had something to do with the water. Vision Water. The Konti used it for so many things, including their strange ability to tell the ‘future’. Only Nature could divine the true future, what these white maidens saw was only one possibility.

Gromhir looked skywards. Usually, the sky was a vibrant blue and Syna was high. Her glow made the trees glisten like the stars in the night sky. If you looked at them in just the right way, they flashed the colours of the rainbow. But today, grey clouds hung in the air, drizzle rain on the ground. It allowed a fine mist to roll in around the feet of the Kelvic and reduced the distance even his eyes could see. It also provided a steady background noise; it was perfect for the less stealthy hunter.

The Kelvic rose to his full height and strode purposefully through the brush. The human form felt more natural without the need for clothes. He felt more like himself in this form when he was naked. He knew he would always feel better in the Ivaski form especially out in the wilds. But there were times, usually when he was with Kamalia that he preferred to be in human form. They could talk together when he was human, understand one another and question each other. It was strange but certain situations just seemed to be better in human form.

Movement. Gromhir dropped low. He could feel adrenaline pump into his system, strength flow into his muscles as time slowed around him. Nostrils flared, taking in the smells of the forest around him. The pungent smell of rain, the sweet smell of pollen. No scents. Ears strained. The patter of the rain on the leaves, the small plops as it dripped into puddles, the crunching of foliage against bone. Where? To his right. He looked for the source. He had seen it move but he had to gauge his surroundings. The rain hid scent and quieter noise but Gromhir knew this was not a herds grazing area.

The creature stood majestic, even in the rain. Powerful flanks, large proud horns, shimmering white coat that shone with the gloss of water. Why would a stag be so far away from his herd? Unless it wasn’t? Maybe the herd had shifted because of the rain. Surely it had seen, Gromhir. The Ivaski had made no attempts to hide until now. No, it would not still be grazing if it had not seen him. Gromhir weighed up his options. Attacking a stag alone was dangerous. The antlers could cause a lot of hurt. If there were a herd nearby, then there would be a calf or at least weaker creatures than this Stag. But attacking the herd would draw in the stag and there was little chance he could get past the Stag.

He had little chance of finding an easier quarry if this herd was so close. He could not shift either lest he give his position away and risk the stag fleeing or worse, charging. This left him with two options, retreat to a safe distance to shift but loose sight of the Stag. He could wait for the right moment and hope to surprise the Stag by shifting. He was not fond of either option but he could not let the Stag out of his sight. His decision made, Gromhir steeled his nerves.
The world can make you think that everything matters. But all that really matters is that the sun rises and you enjoy what you're given.
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Re: Unexpected (Closed)

Postby Gromhir on February 28th, 2010, 12:34 pm

Everything around him seemed louder. Even his breath sounded like the chime of a giant bell. Gromhir cast his eyes across the forest around him. He could feel the thump of blood in his heart; the drum beat of the rain, even the slightest rustle of the leaves. Everything was magnified in his mind. It was a strange feeling but it was a good one. He could see clearer, hear better and take in all the scents. The wilds truly came to life during the hunt. It was something that Gromhir never truly got tired off.

He kept low, but always kept his eyes on his target as he moved to a better position. Step by step, one foot after the other. He could feel his breath, the warmth of it. He could sense his anticipation, the knowing that the hunt had begun even though his prey did not. There was something so tantalising. He could feel the temptation to strike now, the urge to simply lash out in a show of ferocious power. But there was nothing to gain from that except injury. He was not some young pup, he knew when not to strike.

As circled his opponent, edging ever closer, his mind raced with thoughts. He had fought few stags in his time, wary of their antlers. But the white isle stags were different. Their antlers were larger and looked almost like marble. Syna’s glow turned them silver but there was no such glow here. Could he really take on such a powerful creature? It would have many seasons more experience than him. One swipe and Gromhir might never see Kamalia again.

Gromhir scolded himself mentally. He could not think such thoughts; if he did then he had already lost this fight.

His prey still hadn’t noticed him. He was getting better at this stealth process. He was always a bit clumsy because he rushed but he would do no such thing this day. Each foot had to be placed precisely and carefully. If enough care wasn’t taken, a snapped twig or a rustle of leaves could give your position away. Or worse in this case, the stag could bolt before Gromhir was close enough to give chase. No, he had to be cautious and slow, get as close as he could then launch his strike when the moment came. If he had the element of surprise, he increased his chances.

That sounded almost human. Was that wrong? Should he think like humans did? Did all humans think the same way? No, they didn’t. That much he knew for certain. But there were more races than the humans. He knew that now. The Konti, the Snake-men that could change like him and the Symenestra. He’d read about them in Kamalia’s books. But he’d seen others wander the streets of Mura. Ones with skin of midnight, Akalak, Kamalia had called them. They were odd creatures and there was something that wasn’t quite right about them.

He heard the stag paw at the ground and was snapped from his train of thought. He had more important things to deal with than other races.
The world can make you think that everything matters. But all that really matters is that the sun rises and you enjoy what you're given.
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Unexpected (Closed)

Postby Gromhir on April 19th, 2010, 3:47 pm

Enough was enough. He could get no closer to his prey without alerting it. It was so close now. He could taste it on his tongue. Blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked behind it. He could charge out and end the creature’s life so easily. Even muscle, every sinew twitched in his body. He would strike it down swiftly. Give it no chance to retaliate. Merciless. Quick. Two blows was all he needed. One so it couldn’t escape. One to end it all. He licked his lips. The time had come.

He darted forwards, shifting as he went. The Ivaski bursting from the undergrowth and leapt forwards, fangs flashed like lightning ready to strike down his foe. The distance wasn’t far but it was enough.

Kamalia had never warned Gromhir. She had never made him aware of what the vision waters did to the animals and even the residents here. They were far more intelligent. Far more confident. Far more cunning. The stag had seen him long before he had moved. It had not expected the Kelvic but that mattered little in matters of survival. The antlers on the other hand were vicious.

The Kelvic yelped in surprise as the graceful creature swept his head round smashing the large canine aside and gouging a red streak in his pristine fur. Gromhir groaned. It had been a long time since he had felt such a blow. He had been put through far worse than that single blow but that was not the point.

The Ivaski pulled himself to his feet to stare down the stag. It pawed the ground antlers lowered in a fighting stance. The Kelvic took to the same, fangs bare and ready. This was meant to be over already. He should have won. But that weld would not disappear. The Kelvic growled low, faking a dart forwards.

The stag charged to counter but Gromhir was already away leaping away and back again and plunging his teeth into the hind leg of the Stag. His aim was not as true as he would have liked and the stag kicked out, knocking the Ivaski backwards once more. The stag snorted as it wheeled to face the Kelvic before charging again.

Dazed from the blow, Gromhir had little time to move as the sharp antlers raked across his flank again. The Kelvic howled but this fight was over already. Fangs plunged into the oesophagus of the Stag. He took the hit and the pain in favour of ending it now. The Stag struggled but Gromhir’s powerful jaws were far more lethal than the Stags once they had a hold. The majestic creature went limp and lifeless. There was a sickening suction sound as the antlers withdrew from the Ivaski’s hide. Ivaski were tough creatures but even their fur was not armour. The Ivaski groaned in pain, blood trickled down his flank, staining his white fur.

What would Kamalia think if she saw this? He had to get to the Temple, get some healing first. Then he could move on and return home. He could not worry Kamalia, could not tell her. She could not see her Guardian as weak.

-The End-
The world can make you think that everything matters. But all that really matters is that the sun rises and you enjoy what you're given.
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Unexpected (Closed)

Postby Alice on May 1st, 2010, 6:13 pm

Mura Experience Award
Please update your CS accordingly!


ImageExperience Points Awarded:

Gromhir - 4 pts Hunting, 2 pts Stealth

Lore Awarded:

Gromhir - Lore of White Stag Hunting

Comments: I was thrilled by the tension you created with your words. Very well written! Note that the Lore refers to the kind of white stags that are native to the Konti Isle - they don't have names and writeups yet, but they're special!
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Mura ... Starting Guide ... Konti

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