#ic update

[muses-galore]

"Luckily for me I have my meals before everyone else so no one will ever see this."

*Yeah...the hunger had gotten to him and he ate quite a lot more than intended and truthfully Sirei was still not full. Maybe there would be something in his room that could help him. If this is all that creature could do then it's manageable.*

[the-forsakenlegionnaire]

cleaning oil is applied with expert hands all over a mechanical quill. Tender care had been put upon its maintenance, its owner following every steps with an almost motherly tenderness. After all, It was an extension of her self. Had been so for nearly two decades. A scent not dissimilar to pine car freshener had long since permeated the room where lien-da had been busying herself with mending the good look of her mechanical implant, prefering it to the smell of raw oil. Why this one in particular? To this, she would reply that even a woman as sophisticated as her had her... Guilty pleasures. Still, each scrubs, each screws removed and parts put back together was a memory of a simpler time resurfacing, a chance to focus without the constant haunting of the nightmares that plagued more idle rests. This was why she never delegated this particular task. One could bath on their own, should they not? And so, she would enjoy this peaceful moment a while longer.

[scarletmadness]

Feeling a chill in the air, Wanda decided to make draniki's in the kitchen. The small potato cakes sizzling in the frying pan till golden and crisp and a chive ranch dip as a side. A true labour of love.

[the-forsakenlegionnaire]

Pieces of papers burn as lien-da throws them in the incinerator, filling it with ember and ashes. Why were they even here in the first place? No, there had never been a need to increase the weight on Lien-da's back. It was thankless, needless busywork she inflicted upon herself in a vain attempt at legitimacy, as her rule was never doubted. Save, of course…

For herself.

This was not a revelation she wanted to hear, nay. It was one she had kept buried with every little pieces of self doubt she had garnered over the years, never to be looked upon again. but fate sought otherwise as the embers gorged theselve on the grandmaster's hipocrisy; it was a lesson she needed, and deserved. Even she could fall victim of such trappings. And truth was always a bit too bright to stare at. She'd get used to it. She had to.

[the-forsakenlegionnaire]

Today, everything feels different. Today, Lien-da barely recognise herself in the mirror. Carefully, she checks herself in a nearby mirror. Her beauty is as present as its always been; just as the scars, most of whom she wore proudly. That's when it hit her. She was not feeling as apathetic as she usually did. "Perhaps there is hope for me yet..." She pondered out loud as she left her room, took a look at the pile of documents sitting on her desk, and promptly carried those to the nearest fireplace. A little initiative couldn't hurt on this ship!

[the-forsakenlegionnaire]

writing exercises one: painting a picture.

The unity, Lien-da's ship and home. Even now, as Echidnapolis is torn appart and rebuilt by sleepless machines and no less excited echidnas, lien-da follows a different agenda, atonement in the name of the godess, Aurora.

It has seen countless individuals, all unique, often curious... and mostly suspicious (the feeling was often mutual, Lien-da's reputation makes her poor company). Yet, dhe remains steadfast in accomplishing her hidden goal, studying scriptures from all eras of echidna history to find an answer that could light the path forward not for herself,but others.

Her first selfless act in so long, was it not? her, who used to shield others with her own body as salvos after salvos of nocturnus fire fell upon them i' her youth. This desperate,albeit heroic past was now replaced by another, somber, and yet equally dire present. She didn't feel like a hero - no, in fact, she didn't feel much of anything, and this terrified her. That her fire had been so thoroughly burnt out by her own sadness and constant sulking, to the point that she had isolated herself yet again, when she knew that the solution was right here, under her nose! This hurt her ego in ways no words from her sister ever could.

Yet, she had to keep going. Perhaps it was time to start over? talk to julian, annoy that kid, that guardian.. see those willing to see her, and stop licking her wound like a dying lion.

Yes, perhaps it was time.

[the-forsakenlegionnaire]

Lien-da sits alone today. Feeling particularly moody, she decides to let the frustration fade away by witnessing small tidbits of people's lives as she orders a drink in the first bar she sets foot in.

This come at the cost of a tingling in her heart. Drinking her time away only made the pit in her stomach deeper, and she was long past the point of believkng enough alcohol could ever fill it.

Another drink, and she'd be done, she told herself six glasses ago.

Perhaps it wasn't too late to stop. Alcohol wasn't good at helping her wish for escapism, anyways.

Then again...

[marshalforgotten]

Roots that Bind: Finale

Some time had gone by, since Alkebu-lan had entered her stasis. Weeks of Uganda and its surrounding countries being encased in a shield proved to present its own challenges. Cell phones could not communicate beyond it, lest they risk malfunction. Foreign aid had simmered and planes or vehicles coming into protected lands would temporarily have an electrical surge in their systems. Or if it contained hints of HER influence, be purged. At least that is how the first seven days passed.

Ice had slowly creeped over the domain, blocking out the sun and covering shield. Cold, unfeeling- like they were inside a carefully-crafted snow globe, with malevolent eyes watching. Light still remained inside the dome however, emanating from the very shield in hopeful glow and acting as warm sun against subzero temperatures; a stark contrast to that beyond it.

Amidst it all, tree shined bright and unceasing and at its bottom something stirred.

In her meditation, Alkebu-lan was waging war with the spiritual force that threatened to engulf mortal world. Multiple times now did she hear it; a feminine voice dominating over hushed whispers of many.

How fruitless, your efforts are.

You're only delaying the inevitable.

Soon, all you hold dear will meet its destiny.

Through all these jeers and icy barbs, Alkebu-lan remained indefatigable- unmoved by words. They amounted to nothing, in the long run. Twenty-four hours however had left her in an uneasy respite, like a calm before the storm.

Suddenly, she felt it. A searing pain burning on her backside. There was no voice to accompany it, but it was clear mastermind behind agony was taking no prisoners. The pain was intense, making figure grind teeth, however it also afforded her an opportunity to sense what was going on.

They were fighting back and giving icy spirit a hard time.

Hands clenched into fists, as Alkebu-lan took a moment to absorb the pain on her back. Symbol glowed and seared away some fabric in its wake, but the pain disappeared- quickly as it came. Suddenly, eyes shot open.

The tree's light grew more intense, nearly blinding anyone who saw it. A giant ray was shot skywards. In its wake, barrier and ice shattered like glass and broke down into glittering particles. Before it was the night sky and like a rainbow of shooting stars ray was followed by other, smaller bits of power. Their goal was clear: Power the Monkie Kid. End this assault against the world.

She heard the cries, felt the rush. Then, silence.

Tree of light had disappeared with the blast; leaving nothing but waves across water's surface as if it never was. Beneath it all, the glow from meditative woman dimmed and golden hues finally burst open.

-----

Back on land, life had begun anew with a cacophony of sounds. Lions roared in triumph, flocks of birds danced like a flowing ribbon across skies and zebras brayed as their hoofs rumbled against the lands below them. Even the hippos once calm were splashing waters in what could only be described as a jubilant glee.

It took all Maya had to navigate through the chaos, unharmed.

The moment shield shattered to reveal sky above, Maya knew that whatever was trying to infiltrate these grounds had been stopped. Which meant one of two things, either Alkebu-lan was free... or she might be gone.

It sent a shiver down vet's spine, considering that latter possibility.

Bursting forth from the forest undergrowth, did Maya stumble onto the shores of lake. Looking out, her eyes widened. The tree was gone, but where was her friend? Just as she was about to call her name, she picked up on a low growl. Jerking gaze towards side did the British woman espy white crocodile, exiting waters a few yards away from her. Suddenly reptile's form shifted, turning into a familiar figure that wrapped arms around torso.

"Al!" Maya exclaimed, her feet moving fast to approach ageless one. When golden eyes spotted the mortal, a toothy grin was shot her way.

"I... do not suppose you would be willing to part with your jacket for a bit, would you? I could use some warmth, right now. It was quite-" Her words were interrupted by unforeseen embrace from vet; body stiffening from sudden contact. "-cold." Glancing down Alkebu-lan blinked in surprise. Bewilderment was soon replaced with sympathy across visage however, the moment she witnessed tears rolling down other's cheek. Slowly, tall woman embraced her friend back.

"This works too."