Welcome to my blog! Here you will find little written prompts and blurbs for all my favorite aurin. This is my Wildstar excentric blog that houses my screenshots and random lore bits, along with all my headcanon for my OC babies. My main blog is @myymsie for silly shenanigans.
We have been on this ship for generations, though the exact number has all but faded from memory. All we have now to remind us that we still travel is the rare times when a maintenance bug gets eaten by a kit. The landscape seems to go on forever, though the older members know that is a lie. Our tree, the Mother Tree, stretches her branches across the canopy and even if you were to climb all the way to the very top you would run out of breath before touching the missing sky. It might be a way of keeping us safe, or it could be how they trapped us in this ship for so long. Regardless, no one remembers why we left or where our original destination was to, simply that we live here in a paradise floating through space.
The spirits, or the holograms within our temple, impart wisdom of the ancients to us when we are in need. I’m told by the temple guardians that this has been our way since before the second planet, Nexus. Nothing has changed in years that we’ve traveled across the stars, nor has our traditions shifted even from one planet to the next. The Matria still stands strong over our tribe and the great darkness protects us both from within and without. The shadow, a piece of the mind that connects us all and reminds us that we are and always have been predators above all else. The string that ties us all to the mother tree.
The story goes that the last Matria from Nexus took in a seed and became the binding tree that hugs our entire territory, but again it’s an old wives tale. Something to make the kits ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ while we adults know the truth of things. Aurin are not trees. However, the root system is our main means of travel between the great areas. You travel within to avoid the dangers without, like the predatory pumera and dagun that stalk through the underbrush. All of the tribe make homes within the root systems, since we don’t have to worry about the rise and fall of seasons on a ship. The tunnels go on forever, and it’s easy to get lost in territories you aren’t familiar or rarely travel.
The winding roots that lead you so far down disorient and confuse, but the closer you get to the crushing pressure the easier it is to see how treebark becomes metal. Biology becomes technology in a beautiful mixture of ingenuity and desperation. How the original crew managed to combine logic and life so seamlessly is now lost on all but the most reclusive of engineers. An ancient myth talks of two Aurin becoming the link between, one smothered by logic and another encased in life, but they are more of a moral in balance than any real aurin. Most of the myths are just fairy tales for young kits who need a good story before sleep.
Me, I’m on the brink of my trials, so no more bedtime stories for me! I’ve completed my first, an easy task, finding a shell at the very bottom of the giant water mass that sits on our territory. I wouldn’t call it a river, since it never moves, but it’s no more a lake than a great sea. It is the very center of our beings as aurin, as our tribe has existed within waters similar to these since the planet prime of Arboria. The water shifts, and I can see it move with the great leviathan. I know all I have to do is get a tooth, but I made a bet that I would specifically get the second incisor to match my sister. I’d kick myself for making that claim, but I’m scared I’d fall in too soon.
I remember my mother telling me about the Leviathan, and how the first came to be. A ritual, a powerful one, transformed the strongest of the original crew into the first. Though, obviously that is impossible, besides we have several that travel our waters and none of them have any issue eating aurin. I can’t help but watch as the giant paradise birds swoop so low and skim the water without fear. The leviathan leave them alone and almost seem to race the birds through the water before they both break off in a strange and intricate dance. As I watch the great bird ascend, I’m reminded why we stay far below the canopy as sharp talons curl and tuck against the bright plumage. No real record of the paradise birds exist before we left Nexus, so most assume we brought the bird along from some other means.
However, no time like the present to take the plunge. The paradise bird and leviathan have left, so now I am on the hunt. Clutching a dagger, I’m ready to dive. I’m ready to begin my own story within the tribe. I’m ready to become a true member of the Direbog and earn my place among my people. Deep breaths before I let out the biggest roar I’ve ever let out in my life. It felt good!
“My name is Tenuka, named for one of the greatest warriors the Direbog have ever known! Today I complete my second trial and become a warrior!”
In the last hours of Wildstar, I spent so much time in voice. We laughed, yelled, and cried as we reminisced over old stories. Every funny moment, the times when we made one another emotional, dramatic reveals, and the great times we had in this game. The family we built will never die. We will move on to different games, but we still keep in touch... However, Wildstar will always live in our hearts as the game that brought us so many good memories. The game where we formed some of the strongest bonds. Our home...
“One by one, ah saw mah family die. Ah came to Nexus alone... Ah was out fer myself. All ah wanted was tah see them Dommies burn in the hellscape they left Arboria in. Yet, somehow, I found them... Or they all found me. Maybe it wus both. Dunno who saved who, don’t much care."
The Aurin watched the sky, Nexus in the background so bright and big. “Ah dunno if’n we’ll find somewhere to recover. Maybe we’ll burn up in space when the cargo runs out or the systems defunk. Dunno... All I do know is ah made a family again... And nuthin’ in this universe is gonna take that away from me again... Nothin’...”
We end it how we began it. Farside will always remain the greatest MMO location I’ve ever been. Thank you for everything, Wildstar. I’m going to miss you.
(( Asper Synthstar is the property of @awkwardtimezone! Myym Trugale is my baby! ))
Myym sat down at the table with his client, tail neatly wrapped around the chair’s leg as he casually leaned on an elbow, hand curled under his chin. Coy smile already trained to his face, he was listening intently with delicate ears swiveled forward. His gown screamed high class and rich, as did his bracelets and rings that shimmered against his unblemished blue skin. Light blue hair that always had the perfect wind swept look was done up in a cute pompadour that framed bright sapphire eyes. He was blue from ear tip to tail tip, and that was the allure.
The bar scene was bustling behind him, as his focus was meant to be on the man chatting him up as he waited out his time. However, an itch at the back of his mind kept him in a slightly less pleasant mood, as this was some sort of mission rather than a pleasure boat cruise. Sadly, when the Blackhoods come to you with a request, it is very unwise to tell them no, and when your friend asks you for a solid you do him the solid. So here he was, schmoozing at a concert hall–or the remnants of one–while he awaited the arrival of the rock legend. The small device he wore, the lapel for working the stage, kept recording as he all but ignored the man trying desperately to get his chron number.
(( Asper Synthstar is the property of @awkwardtimezone! Myym Trugale is my baby! ))
Myym sat down at the table with his client, tail neatly wrapped around the chair's leg as he casually leaned on an elbow, hand curled under his chin. Coy smile already trained to his face, he was listening intently with delicate ears swiveled forward. His gown screamed high class and rich, as did his bracelets and rings that shimmered against his unblemished blue skin. Light blue hair that always had the perfect wind swept look was done up in a cute pompadour that framed bright sapphire eyes. He was blue from ear tip to tail tip, and that was the allure.
The bar scene was bustling behind him, as his focus was meant to be on the man chatting him up as he waited out his time. However, an itch at the back of his mind kept him in a slightly less pleasant mood, as this was some sort of mission rather than a pleasure boat cruise. Sadly, when the Blackhoods come to you with a request, it is very unwise to tell them no, and when your friend asks you for a solid you do him the solid. So here he was, schmoozing at a concert hall--or the remnants of one--while he awaited the arrival of the rock legend. The small device he wore, the lapel for working the stage, kept recording as he all but ignored the man trying desperately to get his chron number.
Movement from the side and a very scruffy mess of hair bouncing into view gave Myym pause as he held up a hand to his table mate. He gave a slight awkward laugh and slid down from his chair gliding over to Asper with the full grace of a dancer. Stopping the other, he held his hands out with the indignation of a person trying to avoid the blame for a head-on collision. Myym huffed. Torn shirt, missing sleeves and the entire sides of the top, ripped pants, and an assortment of rather sharp accents made Asper look like a complete hooligan.
Asper took a moment to look over Myym with a charming smirk that morphed into a deep frown when he realized it was just Myym. He snorted. "What...are you wearing?"
Myym let out a soft gasp and then grit his teeth to calm himself. "How about a full outfit, for starters. You look like you fought a pair of scissors and lost-- Are those...spikes?"
"Dude, it's called fashion."
"It's called--I don't think you understand what you've been asked to do! Look, Blackhoods or not, we are singers, not agents!" Myym was trying not to yell, but his whispers occasionally squeaked.
"Just set me up on stage. I've got this..." Asper gave Myym a winning smile and finger guns.
"You've got this..." Flat toned and defeated, Myym placed a hand to his face.
"Yeah... I've got this."
Myym stared hard at Asper as he debated on the likelihood of escaping this job, but put a hand to his temple and sighed heavily. Brushing past him, his tail tip thrashed behind him as he moved to the stage. Breathe, things were going to be okay. Asper was at least briefed on the Blackhoods plan, he was sure of it. Why else would he be so cool, calm, and collected. Stepping up to the mic, he did the best introduction he could for the other Aurin as he gave way for their glamorous entrance.
Smoke rose and the silhouette strutting into view before Asper claimed center stage, giving the crowd a winning smile. Lights flashed, and the stage was set for an amazing show as the hall lights dimmed and spectators raced to the stage. Myym huffed and found himself a nice spot off to the side of the stage in a corner, but realized too quickly that he was just below a speaker as the music started to play. Flattening his ears against his hair, he watched as young female and male humans, aurin, draken, and all other manner of space riff raff flocked to the Glam Rock Aurin's performance.
The soft entrance was something that Myym was not expecting at all, as Asper sang sweetly into the mic. His emotion played the crowd as the pre-recorded background vocals seemed to rise and fall eerily perfect. The lyrics were familiar, but Myym couldn't quite place it as Asper continued through the intro. It was clear this boy had some serious vocal control and training. There was a reason that he had the fans in an uproar, and Myym was starting to realize that he made a mistake with his previous worry.
"Open your eyes.. Look up to the skies and see..." Myym let his ears swivel and he relaxed as he listened to the lyrics. They were something else, and definitely not what he expected out of either the Blackhoods or Asper. Then again, he knew the other's ability to really lead a crowd and it always impressed Myym. "Anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me... Too me."
"Mama.. Just killed a man... Put a gun against his head." Myym perked his ears up at that, and furrowed his brow. This was a bit more forward than what he was expecting. He thought the silent code was much more silent than this. Puzzling over the situation, he moved to lean against the back wall to watch. The good news was at least Asper was a good stage act. Settling back and watching as the performing aurin shimmered in the mist with glitter and stage makeup covering his face and arms, the blue aurin admired Asper's voice.
Myym took stock of his surroundings as he listened to the song. The walls were all lined with plants, something he really had to appreciate from this broken venue. The acoustics were amazing as well, not something he was expecting when he'd taken the invitation to this little underground rock concert. It seemed that they were expecting to have various musically-inclined guests and had thought to arrange things to really bring out the stage. The over abundance of red clashed with his aesthetic, but then it was only a minor complaint.
"...Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth." The sudden vocals hit him in the heart as Asper let his singing rise to the emotional occasion. The crowd was singing along, so this wasn't a new song. Myym was right in his vague recognition. Some Exile propaganda, though he was really moved at how Asper sold the lyrics, "Mama! Ooooh oooooh. I don't wanna die... Sometimes wish I'd never been born at all..."
Asper took hold of the mic stand as the guitar riffs played out and he followed them in a perfect air guitar. Myym was in awe at his performance, that was until movement caught his attention. People were moving and it wasn't clear what their intention was, nor their allegiance. Zoning in, they slowly made advances towards a specific table and it dawned on him just what Asper's singing was directing. He looked back to the stage as the guitar solo was over and Asper was back to singing. Blissfully unaware.
"I see a little silhouetto of a man..." Myym gasped softly as the lyrics were too clear and he knew it was time to find a place to hide. The song itself was reaching a peak that seemed to draw in his breath to soft short gasps as his heart was racing for what seemed like no reason. Eyes wide, he moved as quickly as he could manage without raising attention to his location as he sank to a table next to the stage, opposite of the now-obvious target of the moving silent figures. Myym kept it together, barely.
Was this a hit? Were Asper and Myym now hitmen for the Blackhoods? He couldn’t let this stain his reputation, he was just starting to get his singing career in place! What sort of jobs were they starting to take, and why was he trying to drag Myym into the fray? There were so many questions as Myym tried to make his hiding spot smaller and less accessible for when shit hit the fan. They were singers, not hitmen. Maybe he was just overreacting. Maybe the guy was just not paying his tab, and the bouncers were coming to collect.
The music hit a strange section that had Myym looking over to Asper as he started a chorus with several voice recordings. They were clearly arguing with each other on stage as Asper simply dictated each entrance with a open hand, a pointed finger, or a clenched fist. He was really getting into this role and Myym had to give him props for the emotion! Though it quickly escalated as the figures were finally in position and the music hit the peak Myym had been expecting…
There was a dramatic guitar riff and Asper rang out over the mic after some expert air guitar. "So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?! So you think you can love me and leave me to die?!"
The gun fire rang over the music and the screaming quickly drew the attention of the guards that had been quite entertained by the blond Aurin on stage! It was quick as all hell broke loose within the small venue. There was running, screaming, over-turned tables, more gunshots, and suddenly Myym was hoisted from his hiding spot under the table. It wasn't until he was being carried away that he even realized he'd been one of the loudest screaming from the gun fire. Taking another deep breath, he belted out yet another loud and dramatic scream still being carted off to Weave knew where.
Crying, that was something Myym hadn't done in a while. He was a sobbing mess in Asper's arms as the male did his best to carry off the damsel in distress. Bridal style, Myym was leaning back as he dramatically tossed his hair at the predicament and did nothing to help Asper from almost dropping him twice. He was being kidnapped. Goodbye, world. I guess that trip to Lopp Springs was never going to happen!
There was yelling, but it took a bit for the sobbing queen to get a handle on himself and listen to Asper’s pleading. "Can you run? You're really heavy!"
Myym was horrified. He was on a strict diet, and these heels were custom-made. There was no way he was running in these shoes! Quickly grabbing his heels and slipping them off, he was expertly dropped to his feet which were already willing to run alongside Asper. Ears flat back, he hoisted up the hem of his dress and ran along screaming as they rounded the hallway. The blond aurin sent shots down the corridor they had just come from with a quick duck and yelp as shots were quickly returned. Myym hadn't signed up for any of this. He was already rehearsing the very angry letter he'd be writing to the manager.
A gunshot whizzed past bringing Myym back to the present which kick started another round of sobbing and screaming from the both of them. The two aurin collided around a corner and almost ran up the side with their speed. Asper pointed ahead trying to scream louder than Myym's screeching, "If we can just make the docking bay...! Can't you run any faster?!"
Up ahead was freedom. So close, but slowly fading. The door to the docking bay was closing, and Myym saw his life flashing before his eyes. It was a good life, filled with a lot of good parties and good food. He had missed out on that loaded hotdog, and he wished that he had eaten more hamburgers. There was that one time he missed the chance to get that fabulous looking ring. He didn’t want to die. There was too much good food, expensive drink, and Ryska crossed his mind as his heart dropped. This was it, he could see the golden light as it sped him faster towards his end. He could feel death wrapping their arms around his waist and carrying him away.
The sudden snap back to reality had Myym tumbling head over heels as he smashed into the elevator wall. Asper was panting, but otherwise seemed just fine. He was already working on punching in code to his datachron, getting the ship set so they could escape. "Dude, I don't think I've ever pulled someone along before! That was rad!"
Asper did a little victory dance near Myym’s head as the two were transported to the ship via elevator pulley. “Man Maza’am owes me bigtime for this… I thought it would be an easy job, right? Go in, sing, leave with fans. No one told me about the shootings! I was pretty amazing though…”
Myym was crumpled on the floor, his blue Angora tail fluffed up three times its normal size. Turned out Asper really had no idea. At least they were both still alive.
"You don't know a thing about real emotions, do you? Freak..." The man on the table spat out the insult as if he understood anything about his captor. Abacus simply smiled from the far wall.
"Ah like how... You take this jab at meh, almost like y'all know anything about what's really going on." The aurin drew closer to the human strapped down to the cold table, "As if y'all could comprehend anything about the situation yer in. It's almost cute."
There was creaking as the man struggled, but nothing really gave as the restraints were secured with runic science. Panic and fear permeated the room and filled every corner with a stench that was lost on all but the most basic of senses. Abacus's fur at the base of his tail stood on end as his ears twitched to an unseen metronome. Click, click, click...
"Yer done. Ain't nothing more the hoods can really extract from y'all. Codes, partners, yer little sweetheart back in Illium? Ya gave 'em everything... So why is it that y'all are in my custody, hmm?" The cotton candy devil continued to circle the table, a hunger in his eyes. "Penance? Revenge? A final redemption? No. Y'all don't get release. Ya don't get to leave... Not after that mess..."
More shaking and creaking, the table groaned with the effort that was exerted. Panic and fear, it came off the traitor in waves as he spat words of hatred and desperation. Abacus wanted nothing more than to break the man's neck and be done with everything, but at the same time he wanted the chance to flex his power one more time. "Ah hate and love everything about this..." A delicate pink hand moved along the side of the human's face, fingertips sliding along dried blood and sweat mingling at his temple. "Lets explore happiness first, shall we?"
Memories were absent, there were no great picture anthologies about the world and how it had been happy. The human could feel his heart flutter and a smile spread over his face despite the stench of a musty room on an asteroid. The restlessness of needing to bounce your knee, but the inability to move against the restraints did nothing to deter the light burning of tears along the rim of half closed eyes. Genuine happiness about the restraints and the inevitability of death filled his mind to a point where he welcomed the idea like a sunny day after a week of nothing but rain. This room was a perfect solution to the terrible stress of choice in the world, and he couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't want to be here. Serenity was restraint.
Abacus pulled his hand away and wiped it along his shirt as if he'd touched a slug while dragging fingers across a wet rotting log. The man slowly returned from his high and the panic slipped through once more, this time it rushed back to fill a void. The rushing waters to fill a gaping hole brought on by an earthquake of emotion. More rattling of the restraints and Abacus grinned, "I hate that emotion too... It's less of ah solid state to live by, and more a palate cleanser. It's yer threshold, so you understand the other emotions. The ginger between bites..."
Strings of words, none of which Abacus gave any thought to, came rushing from the prisoner's mouth. His body jerked and he thrashed on the table, screaming to be let free. Words that threatened and tried to sting the barrier of the aurin's defenses. Abacus only smiled and moved towards him again, "You like anger? You think y'all understand it? Here... Let me show you real rage..."
There was a soft touch to his stomach of a hand centering at his navel, and the human just screamed. Fire, it wasn't like they described, the burning was not incomprehensible but centered in his gut. It simmered, burned through the fuel, and then started to burn the container. He felt sick, but despite knowing the solution all he wanted to do was break something anything to release the tension. There was an epicenter where pain and pressure collided, and the turmoil warped time itself. Nothing resolved as the tremors continued to shock his system and each jolt caused him to jerk an arm or leg trying to feel anything beyond this growing kinetic energy. Screaming didn't fix anything, but it was something to do. Something cathartic that gave his mind a break even if the pressure never ceased in his bones.
Removing his hand, the aurin shook his wrist almost shaking off the residue of rage that the man had felt in that moment. "No? Not ah fan of rage...?" There was a pause, a subdued response to the jeering as the rage burned off and through the human. Abacus could almost see the pile of ash it left behind. The table made another creaking sound as senses returned and Abacus smirked. "These are the tame emotions, really... How about we move to something more foreign to you, hmm? How 'bout I show y'all sorrow?"
A soft tail wrapped around the man's neck and he felt himself choking. The drowning feeling was not like his training described, and he gasped for the breath that was just barely there. This was not suffocating slowly, there was no soft feeling of passing out as he struggled for every breath. He didn't have to fight to stay cognizant of his surroundings as each intake was a battle that he fought like a war. It was a fight that he knew was in vain. The ever present want, need to let it go and not take another breath, haunted him. He inhaled with pain shooting through his lungs and cried in the exhale when the air left him once more alone. Each breath holding a window of hope that flashed and crumbled with each exhale. The thought of simply quitting the struggle tugged at his consciousness. Unfortunately, despite everything that weighed down on him through each breath, he continued to take another and then another and then another. Tears streamed down the side of his face and sobs stuck to the back of his throat, and all he could do was breathe. That’s just what you do... You breathe.
Abacus's tail slithered off the man, and the aurin looked a bit worse than he had been a few moments earlier. "Yeah... That's the struggle. It never gets better, but y'all take that breath anyway. Maybe... Right?" The aurin laughed, manic as his ears were still flicking in that odd manner. Lavender colored eyes, wide with excitement, watched the human struggle in place. "I think... It's time I had a bit ah fun. Don't y'all think? Here... Lets try this one..."
A single digit pressed against the man's forehead and the room gained a new layer of darkness. The edges rippled with the inky black that could at any moment swallow the entire room whole. Wide eyes, it was the only way to keep the darkness at bay. Don't blink, never blink, because each time you do the darkness creeps just a little closer. No one ever questioned why the darkness was bad, it just always was and always will be. The cold chill on the spine and the prickling feeling along the skin were warnings, they had to be. You just know when things are off and that saves your life. Panic and fear keep you safe, so it's okay to listen to their demands. It's okay to be cautious. Don't blink. Never blink.
A jolt ran through his hand, or at least it looked as if the aurin had been shocked away from the human who was shaking with wide eyes on the table. "There, now y'all get it... A small taste. A small tremor miles away from tha epicenter of a natural fucking disaster." Abacus started to draw the outline of a rune over the man as he walked around the table. His tail was bottlebrushed and his ears were flat back. "Now y'all can live with this knowledge till yer body gives out from the stress. Relive the emotions that y'all caused... Over and over and over..."
A metal door opened and the cotton candy aurin stepped out from the room where he had been working. The Hood's guards that stood watch readied and leveled their weapons on Abacus. The pink aurin stifled a manic giggle as he slowly raised his arm with a slow wave of curling fingers. Ears back and tail flicking erratically, he hiccuped another giggle as the high from his job trickled through his brain. "Better get the meds quick, boys... Ain't got much time."
His voice trailed in a sing song manner as a hand gripped his wrist. A sharp pinch as the medication was injected, and the male sighed heavily. It was fast acting, and he took in another breath this one seeming better than the one before it. Squaring his jaw, he looked off towards the docking bay and his ears swiveled forward. A smile graced his lips as his tail curled behind him.
Happiness, the threshold, the litmus test, the gauge at which all other emotions are realized.
Deep waters shifted at the surface, a dark shadow made its way towards the shore. Small children were laughing and playing too close to the drop off. Thrashing waters, a sign of struggle, it had all the predators curious as they moved from sunning rocks and sleeping logs to investigate. The large shadow slowly drifting closer with intent as the waters grew murky from the children throwing muck and mud. A sudden shift, a giant jaw opening and snapping, and then screaming.
The children ran from their play spot as the great monster's jaws closed around a crocodile who had strayed too close. He would be known as Todaluk, the lurking shadow, the beast that protects the banks of the river possessively. His brood knew the consequences of threatening the human village that sat on the banks. The humans gave freely to them. Fed them daily with hunts and praised the waters they swam. Todaluk knew his brood could survive weeks without, but the humans fed them anyway. The whole wallow lived in excess.
Comprehension was his, and he understood the words the humans would sing along the banks as they pushed fresh meat to his kin. He understood the reason they praised him and why they blessed the others who swam with him. He understood the shape of human and how it differed from the shape of water buffalo. Todaluk knew all these things, but he did not know why they slept in houses. He did not know of the strange colors they draped over their skin. Even as his brood crawled over his massive body, he did not understand why they kept their children from the waters.
Night would come, and he would walk. From the water, he slowly crawled along the bank with claws sinking deep into the muck. He always left a large track where his tail slowly dredged over silt and mud as his body shifted and moved. Forearms that were once legs dangled at his side with one foot crushing rotting foliage and then another. It wasn't hard to shift, but the warrior's true form was clunky on land even though it did the job. The village fires burned on the edge of the darkness, and his eyes adjusted to the wavering reds and golds. As he had done for years, he watched and listened to learn and understand.
It all confused him, but he was determined to understand more than what he was allowed on the river banks. He had witnessed killings. Murders and death coming in the form of knives to the gut and slit throats. He watched women and children and even smaller men beat and prostrated for the enjoyment of others. Todaluk had seen tears of joy that streaked faces of new mothers and fathers. He had seen the way others greeted with smiles and hugs. He had seen elders telling stories to the children and he listened to the tales as carefully as if he were sitting at the fire next to them. None of the humans were special or terribly different from his own kin. They all killed and survived for themselves. That was why he loved them.
Dawn grew close as the horizon faded into a dull black and the stars slowly blinked from view. The land walker shape was getting dry and he could feel his scales scraping together and he hated it. It was one thing he would never understand about the humans. How did they live away from the water for so long. How did their skin not flake and crack in the heat of the day? He understood why his scales did not, but the fleshy brown of the villager's skin confused him. Even the water buffalo braved the waters and rolled in the mud for hours at a time to protect from the sun's kiss.
Heavy foot stomping slowly as he leaned down and placed his belly against the mud once more. This was comfort and he let out a hiss of contentment as he slid along the banks till his body was wrapped in the cooling waters. He knew the villagers would come to praise his wallow as he felt the approaching thrum of music on the banks. They would find the place where he left the waters and some would cheer and try to see if they could match his size. Children would lay in the spot where he hauled his massive tail from the river and mimic his travel. He knew their habits, and he understood them.
The vibrations grew louder and louder and the other crocodiles moved in towards the shore. They knew that it was time to feed as the humans pulled a massive buffalo from their own livestock to give them this day. Todaluk breached the surface only enough to peer at the offering. Not once, in all the time he lived and thrived in this river, had they offered their own food to his people. He watched the shore as they sang, but their songs were shallow and they did not praise his great shape upon the mud. His children hastily fed upon the offered meat as he watched with a new emotion he had never felt before.
There was a dark shadow behind the villagers, human shapes but with the night sky draped over their bodies and shooting stars as repeating patterns. Sticks were in hand, but these were not spears as they were too fat and too short. The night sky humans held their sticks close to the body and the villagers looked back with the same faces they would when the jaguar was prowling. Todaluk turned away, and the great shadow went deeper into his river till the ceremony passed. His job was to protect the waters and the villagers from the river itself. Land was the property of the Tikbalang and the Diwata, if there was real danger they would come. Surely, they would come.
He didn't get far. Terror struck him as he already felt the screaming of his wallow as it died. Thrashing and whipping his tail to give him speed, he arrived in time to see the carnage and death floating along his river. Bloated bodies and milky eyes watched him in betrayal as his brood drifted dead and the villagers wept on the shores. He did not understand. He did not comprehend the crying and babbling the elders did as they touched the waters. He did not understand the death of his family and the defilement of his river. He did not understand the rage building inside him nor who it was directed towards. His bellow was enough to shake the reeds and ripple the water.
His body moved on its own as he cleared the river span and was upon the humans who dared to defile his waters. Sweeping his arm, he threw several into the river where the water turned red and they never resurfaced. He roared with anger as the night sky shifted into human shapes further inland and he wished to rip the false humans apart. Humans wore bright colors and celebrated his wallow. They brought him food and sang like broken birds. He understood them and knew that these night shapes were not his beloved humans. It was the only conclusion he could fathom.
Heavy stomps pushed him across the silt and mud, awkward and clumsy. Strange shapes moved in the trees, before long limbs reached down to pluck up the shadow forms. His friends, they heard his bellows and his cries for help. The Tikbalang shrouded the area in mist as the Diwata laughed and sang songs of death to the defilers. Screaming was a joyful sound as he bared his teeth to the carnage, but something made him turn around. Blood painted the shores, and his humans were falling as fast as his kin. The battle raged on behind the heavy fog and bright lights flashed as Todaluk did his best to approach a crowd that huddled and cried. Thunder rang out and sharp pain caught his arm.
Another painful sting hit his tail, and he moved towards the small crowd. He was almost there, reaching with claws to drag them into the waters to safety. He would take them to the deeper waters where the sharp bug bites could not get them. Fire and thunder caused them all to scatter as the red stained his scales. He managed to grab an arm, then another as he picked up as many children as he could. They retreated to the waters as the fog slowly lifted and the singing came to a halt. The screaming of his villagers was silenced and the magic of the trees was pushed back.
Hidden in thick roots, Todaluk gave the children he had saved the form of his kin. Scales and teeth to protect and defend, and a long body with a thick tail to swim away. There was no time to teach them, and he hoped that the Diwata would eventually tell them stories of what they had become. He felt compelled to save what little of the village he could, even if only through memory. They would never walk with a human shape again, but at least they would remember and the stories would live on through rumbles and hissing song.
Drained of power, Todaluk felt a sense of inevitability he understood as only death. Calmly, he started back to shore with the understanding of finality and end. He did his duty to protect, and now he was free to die on the banks of his river. However, the fighting had never stopped, even when the magic was pushed away. New human shapes were crashing through the night shrowd that lined the banks. Their blood cloth was streaked with sunlight as golden and yellow as dawning rays. Their sticks were moonlight and cut through the darkness like teeth. He watched from the waters, until the night was crushed and driven away by the daylight bathed in blood.
He returned to the bloody shores and walked slowly as he only knew how. Sinking to the ground, he took up the hand of the elder that told his stories and felt grief for the first time. A sadness and end that was not peaceful or calm. The sense of loss that crushed his chest and tore his heart and left him without a breath. The Diwata did not understand as she sang her song of victory through the canopy. The Tikbalang laughed at his misfortune, because it was funny in a tragic way, but he also did not understand. Todaluk understood. He knew the reason that the humans cried over their family when they died. He understood the tears that fell from their eyes. He understood why sometimes others would quickly follow, as the weight on his heart made him feel like he would die with them.
Moments passed, ages that he did not pay attention to or care about. A beam of moonlight struck the ground near him and feet covered in thick leather stood near as he tried to comprehend the turmoil in his heart. Words were spoken and sounded empty as if they had been repeated for too many suns and held only half the meaning. Words that talked about revenge which he did not know. Words about redemption and valor that had little meaning within the river. Words that described places like London that were too far away from his wallow. Words of loyalty to an object that was beyond him as he watched the strange cross being passed into his hand.
Words about killing brought him back. He understood that. With this new human dressed in blood, he could find those who dressed in the night sky and kill them all. He understood the meaning of family and that his was gone. He understood how to honor the dead in the ways his humans used to with gifts and deeds. He realized the need to find another home despite how far he would need to travel. He understood ritual and power as he handed over a single fang from his jaws and a scale from his back. These new humans would give him purpose and give him the understanding that he never quite realized with his village.
He bared his teeth in a wide grin. He would work with these humans, and he would create a drapery of blood to wear from the hides of the night sky. He would become a warrior to remind the darkness why it retreated in the wake of a blood soaked dawn. His teeth would be replaced with a blade of moonlight and his tail would become a hammer to crush bone. He would remember his wallow in dreams as he slept, casting away the scales and fins and claws. A promise and a bargain struck on a blood soaked beach, he would become human.
Human, for the village that watched over his brood and fed him. Human, for the villagers who sang him songs of praise and blessing. Human, for those who can no longer take the shape yet swim in memories. Human, to remember everything he lost.
Cold air assaulted his skin as he tried to bring himself around to the world of the waking. Eyes rolling behind closed lids, his fingers tapped and traced the metal table he was laying on. A sharp sting on his left arm brought his attention back to the immediate as his ears picked up on soft mumbling. He could feel his tail, but actually getting it to move was a chore. Eventually he made the tip curl slightly and the mumbling stopped.
Opened eyes looked out at a bright light, though he wasn't in a room anymore as he felt a warm breeze over his body. The ground was a field of pink blooms and bright green grasses, the smell causing his nose to wrinkle. He sat up and looked to his sister with perked ears as she smiled down at his confusion. She was singing, or he thought she was, sound was gone and even the laughter of the other kids tumbling about was lost to him.
Gasping, he looked down at himself and the white and gold trimmed dress was stained with green. Trying to get up, he felt the ground soften and capture his hand. He screamed, or tried, the sound was still on mute. Looking back to his sister, he reached out as she tilted her head. The background was blazing now, fires tracing along and through the field as the kids continued to play and tumble about. Slowly, as if she were made of wax, his sister's skin slipped and oozed down her face. The ground still swallowing him, and Abacus thrashed about until he was waist deep in the thick tar-like substance.
Closing his eyes, he let out another scream that he felt but never heard. Suddenly there was a hand, grasping his arm he felt another dragging him from his fate and he struggled along till the ground felt solid again. Looking up and then around, he was alone in the frozen wastes as the snow floated around him. The wind wasn't biting, but there was nothing but white for miles. Going to stand, he curled his tail close and started walking. He would either find shelter or die from exposure and he didn't care which came first.
Movement from the side made him freeze as a large silhouette approached in the distance. Loping movement had his heart in his throat as he turned and ran the opposite direction. Feet crashing through thick snow, then dragging as he tried to crawl or something to get away from the approaching danger. The ground shook and he panicked with his tail bottlebrushed and ears flat against his skull. Reaching and reaching, eventually he felt empty air and was falling.
Tumbling head over heel, he couldn't stop himself even as he continued to slam claws against the snowy cliffside. A hand, he gripped the other's hand tightly and felt his body yank at his tendons with the force of the stop. The pain didn't last for long as he blinked, opening his eyes to a bar scene. His hand held over his head in the middle of a big wave. Looking around he felt dumbstruck as he saw so many familiar faces.
A strike to his back made him breathe out the breath he was holding in, his head throbbing a bit and feeling light from lack of oxygen. A group he didn't recognize shifted past him to the bar top to order drinks, and he darted halfway up the flight of stairs to his spot at the ledge. Settling down, his legs dangling over the edge, he leaned to watch the goings on down below. It was as if nothing had changed, and perhaps it hadn't as his sister handed him a soda.
Reaching out, he grabbed her arm with furrowed brows. Maybe he should look next time he reached for something. As he pulled away, her skin peeled back with his hand. Letting out a scream, he rolled back and fell off the stair ledge. However, the impact never came as he fell through the Bounty and into inky darkness. Grasping for something to grab, he felt a familiar grip around his waist. Warm comfort in the darkness, someone able to slow his falling and he eased into the embrace.
A bright green flash, then another, and then another fast and faster got his attention once more. Looking back out into the darkness, Abacus could see the flickering of runic text and numbers flying past him. Reaching out, he moved them into patterns and sorted the files as he saw fit. One by one, they had a place as the order was maintained within the system. Data was moved from one location and sent to the satellite mega-server. This was something he understood. Work was easy and required such little thought.
A pop sounded next to him and the caretaker waved with a clipboard. "Sir, it looks to me like you might need some assistance! Please, let me... I will have the system up in tip top shape."
Abacus moved back and smirked, "Tip top..." He waved the the caretaker's lack of legs, "'Bout the only way you know how right?"
Abacus shot up in bed with a barking laugh and a slow puttering chuckle as he looked around the room. Almost instantly his smirk turned to a frown and his tail tip flicked in agitation. Head in his hands, he let out a heavy sigh...
A hand placed against the back paneling, he could feel the pulse of primal logic coursing through. A heartbeat, an inhale or exhale of a breathing machine, the life within the wires of the inanimate. Following the flow of power, his hand stopped at the wires he needed and with a quick apology he lanced them with his utility knife. There was a moment before the green light faded to red and a door in the distance opened.
"You really know your Eldan tech..." The human male wasn't very tall, but then he didn't have to be in order to tower over an Aurin. Abacus looked up with a curl of his tail and went to speak.
"Comin’ up on target... Be in position." T'ashir's voice came over the earpiece and Abacus waved the others to move into the room.
"Movin' along... We'all send ah mark when yer good tah fire." Closing his eyes, Abacus took a deep breath and felt the pulse surrounding them in the new room.
The entire room sighed with calming vibrations that would be akin to human meditation. Abacus cracked a smile at his own analogy, but continued to follow the breathing to its source. There was a central focus where the energy gathered and he turned to face the main console. Hovering a hand over the screen, he watched the display and the various unintelligible runes pass by until he recognized a short repeating series. "There ya are..."
Abacus began the sequence while the other scientists inspected and searched the control room for scrap tech to take back. The pastel male stayed at his console and slowly moved his hand across the screen. Green runes slowly tinted as he focused on the flow of primal logic and the exchange of information. There was something soothing about the entire exchange as he slowly pulled out the AI and brought his datacom to the panel.
Others often talked of machines being cold, unfeeling, dead things that were more tool than anything else. The pink male soothed the machine as it went into a slumber, taking all the other panels with it as the room went dark before emergency lights clicked on. He understood that the primal logic moved, it flowed like blood within machines like life moved within a tree. Nothing the Eldan created was lifeless or dead. Everything was alive.
A soft buzzing carried over through the command system, and his ears swiveled to followed the sound around the room. He watched the others, but they still milled about as if they couldn't hear the steadily growing sound. The buzzing started to change to a scratching, nails over board or the static of a broken protochannel. If machines had voices, this would be the sound of a predator's growl just before the attack. Abacus's heart leaped into his throat and his tail bottle-brushed.
"Out! Get outta here now!" Pastel fur on end, he was already dashing through the door of the room with the few alert scientists. Claw to his ear, he was waving them out on the other side of the door. "Abort! Abort! Technophage! Head to tha drop ship!"
With the snap of a bear trap, the door slammed close lit by a purple ring of light as a handful of scientists were left banging against the metal and screaming for help. Swearing and baring his teeth, Abacus moved to the panel and tried to concentrate. The scratching sound was strong and it screamed in his head as he tried to find the lock mechanism. His mind was spinning, but he could feel the lock and how close it was, as if he could brush his fingertips against the final number. T͔oọ̝͔̣̬ ͍͍͈l̪ͅa̷̗̫̞̩̻̩t̛̖̖̘̫̜̣e
Abacus reeled back from the panel and he heard the screams. A glance to the door saw a splatter of red before a mass of eyes all trained on him. Nausea consumed him for a split second before his feet were pounding the ground. Run, it was the only word cycling through his head as he raced to the drop ship. He didn't look back, it wouldn't matter. Faded lights, red flickering warnings, loud growling, and back-lights clicking on with heavy tones announcing the bull as it came through the halls.
Buzzing, there was more buzzing but this time he understood the words. "Abacus! Stay still! I need to lock on fer transmit!" T'ashir was screaming at him.
"No! Yah daft?! Ya can't without riskin' tha system! Ah'm almost out!" He was kicking his body into overdrive as he pulled out his gun. "Fuckin' get tha ship readeh fer space junk recall!"
T'ashir came back with a growling rumble, "Coming yer way."
Ears back, Abacus let his runes charge before he let loose a heavy blast towards a loading bay door. The first shot scattered the force field and he roared, "Oh c'mon!" Sliding to a halt, he quickly wrote several quick runes in succession in the air, each floating for a moment as it fizzled out. Aiming once more, he charged another shot and the circle flashed before a gaping hole cracked through the airlock. He would have admired his handiwork had the pressure shift not completely flung him off his feet.
One last deep breath before a heavy exhale as Abacus was sucked out into the abyss. He did his best to streamline and avoid the metal scraps as he tumbled along in the darkness. Pounding, the kind of throbbing you couldn't imagine as he felt his body threatening to boil over. His blood, he could feel his blood vibrating against his body. Space was a lovely mistress, but allow her arms to embrace you and you'd know nothing but pain. Eyes shut tight, it wasn't long before he felt a rolling fog slowly coming to relieve him of his thoughts.
In his final moments he would have laughed if he could. As the darkness finally consumed him, he could only think of one thing: T'ashir was going to be so mad...
Abacus gave a smirk to all those with him in the boardroom. The image of Nexus watched as each member signed their name onto the contract, finally coming back to Abacus. Nodding, he turned to the female mordesh at his side and the scientist finished with words of thanks and appreciation. More towns were joining the list of supply stops that Parasol kept well stocked with medical goods, in turn keeping the business open with new funds. Filing the contract, he finished with his own words of thanks as he went to shake each person's hand individually.
The general feeling to the room was calm, as everyone felt their prayers had been answered with low cost medical supplies. It was how Abacus liked his meetings to end. He moved through the small gathering and made sure that each person was as genuine as they sounded. Each handshake a jolt of emotional energy that he forced through straight faced and pleasant. Small tail flicks and forward ears told the lie that he was happy and enjoyed his time here. Once more using the gift from his dead family.
With the meeting over, Abacus waited for everyone to vacate the room as he turned to the vision of Nexus. The calming effect that being in space had on him was more than he could have asked for with the new facility. Flicking his ear, a strange itching sensation started with the tips of his ears. Frowning, he refrained from scratching the annoyance but started towards T'ashir's security room. Punching in his code and waiting as the barrier to the labs dropped, he grit his teeth as an Ekose hailed him with a salute and he felt a wave of happiness that was not his own. He could feel the bile rise to his throat as he smiled with a pleasant nod. The trek would be a long one.
Step after step, he watched as everyone who recognized him quickly shuffled out of his way. A small trace of fear laced the hallways as he moved through them with purpose. Palms starting to sweat, he flicked his right ear as the itching sensation trailed down to his scalp. Completing the climb to the first checkpoint, he nodded to security. Small little tail flicks just at the tip were enough to make the guard ooze panic and Abacus tried not to grimace at the unwanted sensation. Starting a count in his own head, he felt his ear tic to his counting.
He could hear a group making their way through, and as the gates were opening they called to their boss with happy praise. There wasn't much to do, but turn with a smile and nod. There were words, but nothing that Abacus could pay attention to a he counted in his head. Thankfully it was a quick hello as they moved to their stations for work, not a one commenting on his occasional ear flick. He picked up his pacing and moved through multiple groups that parted as he passed through with the stray eye curious to where he was heading in such a hurry.
The last checkpoint in view, he was already removing his gun and flipped it around to present the grip. "Get T'ashir..."
That simple request was enough to get the guard immediately on the phone as Abacus went below. The red lighting was already softer on the eyes as the pastel aurin sighed in relief as both ears began to flick in slow almost clockwork fashion to an imaginary beat within his head. Here he was safe. No one would question his actions, because most knew better than to wonder. The hallway reeked of fear and anger, but at this point he waded through the emotions like a swimmer. A cruel smile crossed his features as he made it to the stairs and towards his private room.
Pushing open the doors, he found his dresser and hovered a hand over the emergency pen that would ease his condition. By now the itching was everywhere as his skin crawled from the emotional bombardment. Fingertips traced the cool plastic of the pen and the metal table it sat upon without picking it up. There was a moment of clarity, a feeling of injustice that this was his life. Medicated to exist. True potential hidden behind a wall of fog and apathy. The countdown was already beginning and he could hear it ticking... 10... 9... 8... 7...
Everything was hot. Pacing a bit as he watched the pen, he felt it laughing at him and bared his teeth. It was getting harder and harder to focus on the task at hand, and the idea of simply going without made more sense. There was more laughing as the pen taunted him, or perhaps it was his reflection in the mirror. Turning, he frowned as his reflection continued to laugh at his dilemma. The whisperings from downstairs were growing louder as he flattened his ears to refocused back on the medical pen.
Ears quickly resuming their flicking from his count down and tail lashing as he sat inside his own head, Abacus missed the white fur that moved just off to his left. Grabbing the pen with an almost annoyed gesture, he narrowed his eyes at the device. Growling, he felt a hand wrap around his own to guide the pen into his arm as a soft click sounded. The sudden sting barely enough to make him gasp, but the slow rolling fog that settled against his mind helped him focus as he leaned against T'ashir. A pastel pink tail curling around white fur.
He heard the call from further away this time, something he could stalk and hunt. Toadie had learned quickly that he was no match for multiple creatures, whatever these new things were crawling all over his territory. 'Mimics' was all he could piece together as they used similar calls to his family to lure out Direbog into the open. Smart hunters. Maybe they were something from the Eldan labs? They weren't draken or Dominion, that was for sure.
He heard the call again and moved through the undergrowth slowly as he made sure to keep a keen eye for any and all movement. Each unusual rustle or sudden movement off in the distance made him freeze. He didn't want to become another meal for these monsters. A hand to the wound on his chest, he suppressed a growl as he remembered the struggle. It bothered him that he never got a good enough look at the flowered beast that attacked its own. Behavior that seemed strange, but worked in Toadie's favor so he didn't mind.
There was a deep growling that came to his side as Toadie turned just in time to feel the brunt of a large paw slam against him. He barely avoided the claws, but crashed and tumbled backwards into the underbrush. Unable to really balance himself in time, he rolled and kicked backwards to gain more distance as the beast struck out at him once more. Roaring in frustration, the two combatants sized one another up, slowly deciding the winner through intimidation alone.
Toadie flattened his ears as his tail lashed behind him. Despite his best efforts he still managed to get snuck up upon. He could feel the panic rising and the fur along his tail bristling, but he swallowed back his terror and prepared to fight. This was one on one, which meant he would have a better of a chance to get away with his life going toe to toe with this beast. Baring his teeth, he did the best he could and puffed up with a deep throaty growl to challenge the monster.
At the growl, the beast slowed its pacing before shifting to stand back on two legs reinforced with strong iron bark. A thick tail covered in moss acted as counter balance to this massive creature that readied two clawed paws, forearms covered in the same impenetrable bark. Easily twice the size of Toadie, it hissed as the tail lashed behind it. A sturdy torso keeping it upright which was layered in heavy moss and vines that bloomed with flowers, giving the monster a dangerous beauty.
Not waiting to allow the beast the first move, Toadie raced forward with stalker claws extended to slice through the vines and moss. Too slow. A great paw slapped him off target and into a rotting log, completely splintering the rotten wood. He heard the snarl and pushed off to escape the slam of paws into the ground looking to crush Toadie into the dirt. Panting, he looked up in time to see the monster turning to roar at him with a maw thorny teeth like the flytrap vines. Thick creeper vines covered the face for the most part, but two bright orange eyes watched him with feral aggression.
Rolling and tumbling further away, Toadie did his best to avoid another blow from the creature. On the defensive once more, Toadie sheathed his claws to pull the fang dagger from his back. A sharp pain in his side made him growl as he forced himself through the pain. He was back in the ring where it was kill or be killed, and he was ready. Rushing forward again, he tried to race past the beast to get in a good swipe to its side. Dodging to the side at the last moment, he wanted to fake out the beast. There was an opening.
Pain. Another paw slammed into him and sent him sailing towards a rock. Back crashing against stone, Toadie let out a short sharp cry and did his best to move or roll from his position. His body screamed at him, but nearly as much as his mind yelling to escape. The ground shook under the weight of the beast lumbering toward him. Another paw swipe and he was sent tumbling across the small ring they had created for themselves. Hand still desperately clutching his dagger, he tried to get up. There was a strange tug on his body as he looked to his arm. Vines and moss everywhere around him started to move across his skin.
The creature stalked closer and Toadie's eyes widened. Vines creped over him and he wanted to scream. They had control of the foliage! They could manipulate the ground and turn the swamp against them! It had to be eldan. They were in danger, everyone was in danger! He had to break free. Anything to warn his family. Circling him, the monster hesitated as Toadie panicked. Toadie could feel himself slipping.
Toadie felt a surge of adrenaline and knew he had to escape, but there was so much pain! Then everything went dark...
Running, it wasn't something Toadie was accustomed too. Pumera, girrok, and even malverines knew he was the apex predator in his territory. He made no concessions for any that crossed his path and even openly swam with the garr that moved through his waters. He was an equal that moved among them, and they were respected brothers and sisters in return. So it was smart that he turned tail to run when the beast collided with a pumera and tore it to shreds.
New beasts, nothing that had been encountered in Cursewood to date. They reminded Toadie of what pets to those grove wardens might look like, but less friendly. His breathing came in labored huffs as he slowed to the sound of a call that was familiar yet completely warped. Ears swiveling to the sound, he could have sworn that Khaj was calling to his flock. A shadow passed over him and Toadie froze. Slowly looking up to where the unknown vanished, he saw two glowing eyes staring back from the canopy.
Toadie was given just enough time to roll to the side as talons made of bark came crashing down where he once stood. Great feathered wings stretched as the monster turned on him, but Toadie was not sticking around. Twice his size, every last one of them were double his size and hunting in his territory! The screech behind him put his heart in his throat as he recognized it as the mimic of Khaj's local call. Mimics. All of the beasts he had encountered made calls reminiscent of his family.
A trill went off nearby and bright flowery plumage crossed his vision. Diving into the waters, he avoided talons that grasped something to his left. Never had he felt the level of panic that had his heart racing in his chest. He was a tiny jabbit caught in the pumera den. This feeling, this experience, it was a fairy tale from elders that spoke of Arboria and the Dreadmire. He had been a child when he left, so his experience was different from the other hunters. He was used to a cage of fighters, not a forest of predators.
There was a sharp movement to his right and the large aurin twirled in the water to avoid the attack. What he had mistaken for a large grouping of vines opened its jaws to crush down on his smaller form. Using every ounce of power he had within the waters, Toadie pushed his body to the limit. A crack in the rock was his only escape, and he felt the tread of water pulling him back towards the beast on his tail. One last push and he slipped into the crack to press his body close against rock and avoid the snapping jaws.
It was a close call, as the monster slowly floated past with a single glowing eye passing Toadie's location. Toadie could only hear his blood racing through his veins, a ringing in his ears that shook him to his core. His world was panic and fear as each turn exposed a new predator that was adept to the terrain better than any he'd seen before. Wings, talons, claws, massive teeth, and all made of the plants of his home. Their camouflage was perfect, and that gave Toadie a chill in the pit of his stomach.
Taking that fear and tensing his muscles, he bolted from his hiding spot towards shore. He felt the shift in the water, and he knew the beast was on him. Everything burned as he pushed himself to escape the one place he had always felt safe. He was a great swimmer, but whatever was chasing him was better. Toadie felt the swirl of water that was pulling him back and he reached his hands out for anything and everything that would give him distance.
Cresting the surface, he grabbed at vine and bark with claws driven by panic. Letting out a strangled cry, he felt the tip of his tail brushing through teeth as he whipped it up against his body and heard the vicious snap of bark on bark. Climb, don't stop, the words repeated in his head as he took each grip higher and higher into the canopy. Body pressed up against the tree, he finally dared to look back into the waters. Nothing. Not even a ripple was left as the beast that almost had him was gone.
Wide eyes, the orange almost eclipsed by iris, searched the area around him with desperation for his family. Surely someone, anyone, would have heard the new cries and come looking. A low and deep rumbling hit his ears and the panic surged through his body once more. Somehow he had missed the glowing eyes just to his left. A snarling mossy muzzle slowly moved across the branches, bark claws keeping the monster's grip steady in the treetops. Toadie bared his teeth, but couldn't get a proper growl to challenge the creature steadily moving forward.
A test of will, predator against predator. Unfortunately, Toadie was not a monster of the treetops. Slowly pressing up further against a dip in the bark, he felt himself sinking into a hole in the tree. It would be a stroke of luck if he could squirm into the hole far enough to avoid becoming dinner. Jamming his elbow back and trying to break open the small crack, he saw the beast surging forward to pounce and the panic fueled his scrambling. Trying desperately to shove his back in first, he couldn't move fast enough.
Claws and teeth made of bark came at him, and all Toadie could do was stare wide-eyed at his death. He felt the rake of claws and roared in pain, but a bright flowery beast crashed into his vision. Toadie was caught clutching the bleeding gash to his chest, but despite the pain he knew it wasn't life threatening. Curling against the tree, he watched as bark, flower, vine, and branch tore into one another. Two monsters fought right in front of him and rolled off into the canopy crashing through branches and out of sight.
The desperate roar, the triumphant trill, and then the sudden silence had the swamp monster reconsidering his nickname. He wasn't the biggest monster on the block anymore...
Shadows moved, but the swamps were strangely absent of the roars and laughter that typically sounded the Direbog territory. Toadie looked up and around as watchers moved along the upper branches every so often around the Wise One. The rest of his party tucked neatly away close to the roots recovering their strength after such a massive battle. Ears back, he listened with eyes closed for any more sounds of panic from the local wildlife. He wasn't about to let them get caught unaware again.
The small bit of energy he got from Ryska was enough to keep him moving, but the waves of nausea that would come and go were jarring enough to keep him off balance. Fear was not an emotion he was as closely familiar with than he thought. The smell and sight of his prey ready to bolt was enough to set him on edge, but he'd felt that crippling fear for the first time in years during battle. He had stood there watching his family fight the disease and cowered. Snarling, Toadie was about to lash out at a tree when a wave of pain in his stomach sending him to his knees with a pitiful whine.
Wide-eyed and panting, he held his torso shaking on the ground. His tail was fluffed up twice its size and curled around his body protectively as he blinked around trying to ground himself. This wasn't hunger. This wasn't hunger, but the pain was so similar. Closing his eyes again, he swiveled his ears to the side and sucked in a slow breath. He tried to focus on the words of his aunt, and the mantra he used to recite in his head when the anger was too great. The darkness would hold him and he would be safe. The Wise One and the First Matria of the Direbog would hold his anger and his fear and free him of the pain.
Another shock wave of pain caused him to double over and he lost everything he'd eaten that morning. The Wise One was in pain. The swamps were in danger. Claws dug in deep as Toadie did his best to maintain his balance after a rather nasty bout. Still panting, he slowly crawled across the muck and slid into the waters close by, the main river system to his home. It wasn't long before floating among the weeds had him feeling better than he'd been for a while. Dipping below and just barely gazing over the waterline, he swam towards the falls and the Wise One.
They would be okay. They all would be okay. After all... They were Direbog.
Myym stood at the front of the small bar as he waited to be served. Slight attention from the human at his left earned a small grin and a tail tip curl just a little bit in their direction. 'I see you there.' The pause and lean was enough to encourage Myym. The blue aurin looked side long at the man, catching his eye, and his grin got a bit sharper. However, just as quick and as if he hadn't been sizing the man up, Myym looked to the bartender who was on their way over.
"A glowmelon martini." Myym curled his plush tail around himself, tail tip flicking within the human's view and settling around his ankles as he stood on tiptoes. The aurin's hair was a puff of volume as he ran a hand through to give a better view of his face and the small gear painted at the corner of his eye. Glitter and rhinestones added to the already loud appearance that the flamboyant aurin proudly wore.
Claws lightly digging into the flooring, he kept his grip with bare toes. The blue male let his arms fold onto the counter as he waited patiently watching the distracted crowd. It wasn't long before his drink was in hand and he turned directly to the man discreetly watching him. Not a word was spoken, but half lidded blue eyes held attention before he was off to another part of the club.
Hips swaying just a little, his tail was almost dusting behind him as glitter sparkled within the fur. Tufted ears swiveling to new sounds, Myym caught the sight of his manager and with a little skip in his step he sashayed over. A sip of his drink was all he had time for before hands were grabbing him and his manager snatched the drink away. There was a moment of distress as he let out a childish whine, "Aww..." However, he was already stuffed into the black hole that was backstage.
It was a flurry of activity as so many different people were grabbing at costumes and swapping spots at the vanities. Quickly curling his tail up and over his shoulder like a boa, he pranced towards a lovely nok lady and plopped down. There was a pause before a giant arm came around to pull Myym into a hug. Her hair, ivy and flowers, were done in a way that she rivaled for the biggest hair in the room. "C'mon... Y'all need ta get yer ass on stage! It's getting too late, and the patrons are gonna blow their wads on alcohol if someone doesn't relieve them of their cash."
Myym couldn't help but cackle at the wording and he leaned back to take stock on his appearance. He saw the DJ walking by and twittered fingers in their direction. "You got my song ready, hun?"
"All set up and I've got your mic ready too! I got'chu babe, I got'chu!" Myym smirked as he got the all clear and a wink. Though he turned back to the mirror and frowned with a wrinkling of his nose. He tilted his head back and forth before grabbing some of the theater make-up. "Mmm... Time for us to get to work!"
The stage wasn't too large, but it did allow for movement and a decent stretch for accepting tips. The last dancer had just finished picking up their money as the lights dimmed a bit and the music began low and calm. The spotlight moved towards stage left as Myym came strutting along the short catwalk with mic in hand.
High heels made him appear taller as he walked in tight pants that curved up against legs leaving little to the imagination. A cropped shirt was pressed against his torso, but it only covered one arm as the other shoulder and arm were left bare. A thin spiked collar finished his look, wrapping around his neck as he kept his head straight. The music swelled and Myym drew the mic up with a fanged grin. "Can... Anybody? Find meee.... Somebody tooo... Loooove?"
"Oooo~ Each morning I get up I die a little... Can barely stand on my feeet." Myym was already moving along the stage as he turned lightly to the side. Peering down his leg, he could see a human male right up front with a grin. Dipping down and folding at the waist, Myym reached out and took the offered note with a wink. Turning around to continue his walk, he let his tail softly swing just beyond the stage. Catching sight of amber, he moved towards another aurin. They seemed to be waiting expectantly as Myym swayed over. With a hand reaching out, claws extended, Myym made a show to struggle with the choice before finally curled his fingers around the note.
"I have spent all my years in believeing you... But I just can't get no relief~!" His hand curled into a fist and he pulled it closer to his heart before he discreetly dropped the bill to the stage. Quickly spinning, his tail curled and cast a halo of glittering blue fur around his legs. Eyeing another patron, he walked with foot in front of foot, eyes locked on his prey. "Can anybody find meee... Somebody to loooove?"
"I work hard... Every day of my life. I work till I ache in my bones..." Ears falling back, he gave the other a pleading look as he came to stop in front of the granok and his buddies. "At the end... I take home my hard earned pay allll on my own!" He focused on the nok who was trying hard not to smirk into his beer can. Slowly, Myym fell to his knees as he sang pleadingly to the granok in front of him. Some of his crew snickered and it only encouraged Myym to continue his attention.
"I get down on my knees and I~ start to pray..." Leaning forward and singing into his mic, he placed a hand to his chest and clutched the fabric there. "Till the tears run down from my eyes!" The granok's crew jeered and shouldered their friend who swiveled his hat backwards and produced a note between fingers. He was smirking behind a puff of cigar smoke. Leaning a little over the stage, Myym found several notes from different folks being placed at his knees. Myym did his best not to lose eye contact and only turned away just before he thought the nok would. "Can anybody find meee... Somebody to looove?"
One foot out from under him, he stood up in one smooth turning motion as his tail once more drifted just beyond the stage catching the smoke to swirl it behind him."Eeeeveryday... I try and I try and I try~" He closed his eyes and swung his arm out, "But Eeeeverybody want to put me down! They say... I'm going craaazy!" He let his arm fall as he swayed with a far off look in his eyes.
"They say I gota lotta water in my brain! Ah, got no common sense..." Myym moved along the stage and his tail drifted behind him in a lazy manner. Ears falling back, he turned and caught the eye of another aurin with a smirk. Cocking his head just so, he kicked his leg up high and gripped the single pole near him with an ankle to balance himself. Reaching out with a hand, his hair fell back and the shimmery ribbon bounced with his hair. "... Nobody left to believe in!"
There was a small break in the music and Myym let himself fall backwards to catch himself with his hands. Stretching, he let his legs swing over and gracefully turned to continue his advance. He twisted and turned in a series of spins that had his tail curling and flaring out like a skirt trim. The music started to pick up and he took a few steps faster to slide up on his knees towards the edge of the stage. His tail swinging around to curl against his knees, Myym rose up a little as he sang to the tawny aurin in front of him. She was blushing bright, and it only made him sing louder. "Oooo~ Somebody... Ooo~ Can anybody find meee... Soooomebody to looooove?"
"Got no feel, I got no rhythm. I~ just keep losing my beat." The female's rabbit ears fell forward a bit as Myym looked up at her from behind his hair. "I'm OK, I'm alright... I ain't gonna faaaace no defeat..." She was shy, but her friend helped by shoving her hand out with the crumpled note. Myym almost chuckled, but he reached out and took her hand instead of just the note and sang just to her. "I just gotta get out of this prison cell..." He leaned even closer to her face as she kept darting eyes back to her friend. "One day... I'm gonna be freeeee!"
Leaning forward quickly, he stole a soft kiss to the female's cheek and her friend gave a cheer. He left the dazed woman alone as he swiveled around to come face to face with bright purple eyes. The soft chanting of the music seemed to build as Myym maintained eye contact with the unblinking stare. The bright augmentation of the mordesh standing out to the darkness kept Myym's attention as he slowly stood back up from his kneel. Gently taking the note, he let his hand linger a bit with a wink. He didn't turn, but walked slowly backwards with a hand still reaching out. "Oooh Oooh Oooo~"
The music continued to ebb and flow and he was given a chance to twirl and his tail flicked at the end, sending glitter across the stage. Running claws through his hair and tilting his head back a bit, he looked off towards the crowd. He moved his hand down from his throat to crumple the fabric near his stomach. As the music hit another swell, he let the hand trail claws just along the rim of his pants before he turned and swayed to the edge of the stage again. Balancing close the edge, he walk along and let his tail curl around each offering hand to swipe the notes onto the stage.
Myym started his strut back towards the middle of the stage and turned around with a swift lash of his tail. "Can anybody find meee.... Somebody tooo... Looooove?" He pleaded with the crowd as the music started its conclusion. The shimmering fur and clothing fading as Myym walked out of the spotlight that stayed in the center. "Oooooh... Find me.. Find me.. Find me..."
The last thing anyone saw from Myym was his thick plush tail curling and swaying before it vanished behind curtains.
Dry heat, a familiar warmth that caused pink fur to ruffle just a little to release the trapped air close to the skin. Wraps of cloth to hide freckled skin and a pair of goggles over purple eyes to keep the sand out made the aurin seem much more guarded than usual. The rumble of the bike engine was comforting as he followed behind his guide trying to resist the urge to speed ahead and find his own path. The convoy had a mission, and he had to play his part.
The open sights of Malgrave were so inviting. Thoughts of getting completely lost in this wasteland played at the back of his mind as he couldn't keep away the smile. Dust storms, arid conditions, and the blazing triple suns made him feel at home. Something about conditions that were impossible for life made him so incredibly curious when the opposite was the case. Perhaps that was the pull towards deep space, or maybe it was the steady calm and dead silence. Either way, he followed along the trail without much to view other than skeletons of great beasts on the dunes and yet that was enough to keep him entertained.
They had been traveling for a while in the open land, and nothing of serious consequence had befell them. It had Abacus' nerves on edge. Up ahead there was a long stretch of dunes higher than their vision, and it made him uneasy. The signal went out. They were going to take the route through the ambushing grounds. Shaking his head, Abacus and everyone else in the convoy knew what that meant and all grew more alert. Scanning the dunes, the bike's engines were pushing their best to get out of the death trap as fast as they could. Shadows of giant rib bones flashed over them as they raced through like ominous road markers.
Movement to his left caught his eye. Kicking his bike in high gear, he came into visual distance to signal to the lead that he saw something. After a moment of looking and eyeing the horizon, the party leader signaled for the group to stay in close. Abacus tried to ask what was going on. Dreg... It was all he got back, and his expression turned neutral as he fell back in line. Placing a hand to one of his pistols, a darker grin spread over his features as he knew what was coming next. How long had it been since he was in a proper fire fight? Too long.
Shifting their direction suddenly, the convoy moved off the trail and breached the dunes and the first of the dreg were left in the open. Junker bikes and grey trasks were turned and scattered as Abacus' team landed just off center and opened fire. Aiming for the blue tubing, Abacus opened fire on the nearest trask and it screamed before turning over on it's riders. Swerving, the pink male barely avoided a downed bike and he had no time to even realize if it was one of his own. The smell of diesel smoke was heavy in his nose as he tried to keep track of the convoy.
They had the element of surprise, but the dreg had the power of numbers on their side. It wasn't long before the other groups realized they were now on the defensive and came to support their own. Blasts of some kind of explosive broke the sand dunes in great fireworks of grit and powder that stole visibility from everyone. A curse on his lips, Abacus shot a flare and took off towards what he hoped was east. He saw one flare go off further to his right, but no sign of the other two. A growl rivaled the rumbling of the engine under him as he raced to rendezvous with the remaining team. T'ashir was going to be so pissed.
Another blast too close to his bike made him turn too quickly as he felt his wheels slip and he struggled to keep steady. Heart pounding in his ears, he felt each breath catch as he put all his weight into leveling the bike. Faster than he could think, his arm was already out and he was aiming for the nearest target with a snarl. One shot, then another, he was attempting to get as many shots in the neck of the trask as he could before it crumpled and flipped down the dune with its riders tumbling after.
Various bikes made with reused metal scraps and belching out black smoke from exhausts took flight over the dunes and landed around the pink male. Passengers twirling hooks with broken toothed grins were ready to rip his bike out from under him. One hook flew and he shifted just enough to avoid it smacking the back wheel by inches. Panic was already screaming at his muscles and each minor adjustment was automatic as he watched for the next hook. The dreg bared blackened teeth and Abacus assumed they were hissing at him. Tail wrapped around his waist, he would have lashed it as he hissed back and fired off a shot to the closest face.
Too much attention, a mistake he should have known better, but a little too late to correct. The hook caught on his wheel and he felt the jerk of his bike flipping out from under him. Everything caught in a slow reveal as he saw seconds drag by like minutes while he flew in a tumble off his bike. Pain caught him in the chest as the bucking bike struck him, but he was lucky, it could have been his head. Time was catching up, and he quickly tucked and prayed that he wouldn't get run over as he hit the sands. The sounds of laughter and engines roared in his ears as they faded only so far to turn around.
Abacus knew there wouldn't be much time to recover. He felt the strong metal of his pistols in hand, a reflex when he curled into himself. Quickly, he didn't have time as he saw the bikes turning around, a sharp pain as he injected a pink fluid into an arm. He could feel his body reacting immediately with a quickening of breath and the hair on the back of his neck rising. He felt the safe and familiar haze lift from his body. Thoughts started to lose their cohesion as he held his pistols tightly and crouched low to the sands to wait. It wouldn't be long before they would be in range.
Panic subsided and strange jitters found their way into his bones as Abacus felt his right bicep twitch. Focus was hard as every tiny movement demanded his rapt attention and it was all he could do just to stay put. Tail lashing and swaying in all manner of direction, he swiveled his ears to each sound as it hit his ears. Everything was annoying and interesting all at once as hyper focus took over him and he grit his teeth to stop from screaming. The strongest sensations were coming from the bikers as they circled and came in for their kill. Quicker than thought, Abacus shot towards the nearest bike and hurled himself through the void to landed on the rider.
Reality was fading away as he could only think in bursts. Everything was sensations now, and his mind demanded that he stopped everything. Stop the sounds. Stop the movement. Stop everything because the sensations hurt. The last real thought made him laugh hysterically.
Deep in the darkened undergrowth and giant willows of cursewood, there stands a hut. The drums do not beat as loudly here, but life is all around. You can hear the sound of kids running through the rocks and thick over-growths, elders laughing around fires with food and drink, and watchers calling from above you that all is clear. However, around you, on the ground, nothing stirs and these sounds seem like ghosts on the wind. The village of the Direbog, their grove, was wrapped in an eerie darkness.
Above you the leaves rustle and a figure drops to a stone in the waters. His waving hand beckons you closer, but his hidden masked face gives you pause. A sound behind you and a voice smooth as silk encourages you. “The Soothsayer is giving readings this night. Will you see what the runes call for your future? Will you ask the spirits a question? Hurry now, they are waiting…”
Spinning on a heel at the whooshing of air, there is nothing behind you.
However, as you move to the hut, more and more aurin dressed in black and baring toothy grins guide you along. Better hurry…
Your fortune awaits…
Who: All exiles are welcome. If you are looking for a fortune or if you are wanting to study the aurin tribal traditions, all are welcome!
What: Bone Readings; these are actual rune readings you will receive from our leader Ryska Dreadvale. They are done in real time and with actual bone runes on a table. You will get your fortune written ICly to your character for free!
Morality: Chaotic Good
Religion: The Weave
Sins: Lust | Greed | Sloth | Pride | Wrath | Envy | Gluttony
Virtues: Protective | Charity | Diligence | Kindness | Humility | Justice
Primary Life Goals: Protect his family
Languages: Galactic Common, Arborian
Secrets: The family shadows, How much he loves fighting in the ring
Quirks: Will often act like everything is okay regardless of the current mood of a room/gathering
PHYSICAL
Build: Very muscular
Height: 4′11
Weight: Solid
Scars: Quite a few mostly along his torso, upper arms, and legs from fighting in the pits
Abilities: Nanites allow him to vanish in plain sight
FAVORITES
Scent: Wet earth
Food: Tacos
Season: Spring
Curse word: Shit
Books: He can’t read, but he does enjoy comic books to look at the pictures
MISCELLANOUS
He has a third eyelid like the rest of the direbog.
