#rofd rowan

[highhorsegirl]

the girlies horses!! One tags along while the other fights back.

[highhorsegirl]

Bella, the once successful druid honed in to the sun circles magic, was at first stranded in Golden Hills. Well, stranded isn't really the right word, her home was there. She helped anywhere she could, becoming one of the more reliable people in the community, despite her worsening mood and overall declining health. And so, one day, she simply vanished from the village. Now she travels alone, save for her steed, Seto. She's since ceased suppressing her magical nature, and refuses to hide it again. While her physical health recovered, her mental state seems to be far gone, seeing herself as an "executioner," attacking quite literally everything she comes across, zombie or not. It's almost like she believes she can single-handedly bring this apocalypse to an end. Some believe she stopped being Bella a long time ago, some argue she was turned all those weeks ago and only has a sliver of her ghost guiding the shell of who she was, some believe she's a grim reaper. Truth is, she's just lost her mind. It's a miracle she's still standing.

Rowan is a little less extreme. She was on a business trip to Jorvik Stables during the initial outbreak, and is therefore stationed in Jarlaheim. As she used to work with Farah in crafting, and had started to learn the basics of the moon circle, they became responsible for gathering materials and crafting resources. Normally, Rowan is a nervous wreck, but their sense of duty and desperate need to be helpful is keeping their mind in check. Somewhat, at least. They'll push herself to leave the safety of the walls to help the community. She'll also happily skip the next patrol by mending clothes and reinforcing defenses. At first she just wanted to survive. Then she wanted to help. Now, they just want this madness to end. Lately, as Jarlaheims resources are dwindling, they've been thinking of leaving the community and travelling to the Dark Riders in the Valley, to help them figure out a way to find a cure, or anything, to make everything go back to normal. She just wants things to go back to normal.

am i late out? maybe. did i want to do this anyway? yeah.

[highhorsegirl]

A semblance of normalcy. Aka. why is Rowans hair still dyed, we're one year into an apocalypse.

Rowan quite liked her long, light pink hair. She found the process relaxing, and the results rewarding and pretty. But as the outbreak raged through the island, you sort of forget such small things. You're too focused on making it through the day. Inevitably, her hair grew, copper roots bleeding through the pastel pink. Not the worst contrast of colors, and it's such a silly thing to pay attention to. But when the length of ginger hair grew, and grew, they couldn't help but be distraught at the sight. They didn't understand why at first. Then it hit them. It served as a reminder. Of how long it had been since it all started. Since the day Evergray came home and told everyone that the soul riders were gone. Since he himself turned into... into one of those. Since the poor citizens of Jorvik fell to the same fate. How long does it take for hair to grow out? How long had it been..?

Thankfully, Jarlaheim has not just one, but two salons. Maybe Rowan shouldn't have, but they couldn't help it. Everything else was chaos, nothing made sense, everything so out of reach, but this one, tiny thing... they could control. At least, now they could. She broke into the salons, took all of the dyes she needed, a pair of scissors, and went at it.

Maybe it's stupid, but the sight of those freshly dyed pink strands and a shirt stained with anything other than blood brought her a semblance of normalcy. Like the apocalypse was not upon them at all.

less filtered version because if you look real close you can see what magic suppression is doing to her... i have to project my probably-chronic issues somewhere </3

[highhorsegirl]

Day 2 of RoFD prompt month!! @dark-rider-pr CW: the usual infection talk, kind of suicidal thoughts.

It had only been a few days since her meeting with Alex. She's sure of that. And yet, so much had changed. Mostly with herself. Rowan don't know how, but clearly, they had become infected by Alex. It's odd, thought, she's so sure she was never bitten... not even scraped, right? Not by her... fangs. She did receive a small cut between her eyes when they crashed together, but that was from her claw-like nails... could that really have done it? They were foolish to believe it couldn't be contracted that way. Stupid, stupid Rowan. No, that's not the weirdest part. The cut becoming infected due to direct exposure (that she's not sure it had) is one thing. But her arms... her arms had become decolored the day after. And that scared her. With purplish veins travelling from both her arms, her face, down to her chest... would she even last those 20 days it normally took? Once it reaches the heart, it should- No, wait, that's sepsis, stupid. Does that even apply to Aideen's Curse? Ugh...

Rowan lets out a groan as they raise their hand up, inspecting the darkened veins against the paling skin. No matter what all of this means, it's going to lead to the same thing. They'll become one of those things wandering around, a soulless creature feeding on whatever poor person it finds in its way... in a little over two weeks, she'll be gone. Undead. Should they just... get it over with now..? Before... before the inevitable? Instead of spending these weeks waiting, no, wasting away? It's over, either way, isn't it?

A warm muzzle presses against her chin, the one still free from the veins. Cosmos must've sensed her overthinking. He lets out a low sigh, the air hitting Rowans face grounds her back to Jorvik again, and with her outstretched hand she reaches out to pet her steed carefully. "Sorry, boy... did I worry you?"

[highhorsegirl]

Hello RoFD community. We've got writing. Be aware this part contains violence (including drawn stuff) okay thanks <3

@dark-rider-pr i've cooked

Rowan had finally made up their mind. They had to get out of Jarlaheim. Towards the Dino Valley community.

She didn't really want to leave the safety of the walls, but they wouldn't really be safe for much longer, if Rowan knew her human instincts well enough. Supplies were running low. Low supplies means infighting. She didn't want to stick around for that.

Packing up the few things she needed, she headed out towards the Valley. Cosmos, being the ever reliable steed, carried her off while she turned back to wave at the few friends that bothered to say goodbye. Rowan didn't seem focused on her surroundings at all, overcome with worry now that she was on her own. The gelding's ears flickered in annoyance, but he knew she needed a moment to calm her nerves, and thus walked at a rather leisurely pace.

He shouldn't have. They're not in a position to take things slow.

If only they had come a little further, maybe they would have missed her.

As they were about to enter Greendale, Cosmos suddenly came to a halt, abruptly scanning the area. Something felt off. He's sure he saw something, heard something out of place. Zombies? He could deal with zombies.

If only.

Instead, before either of them had the chance to react, Rowan suddenly gets flung off her horse, the speed and impact when they landed knocking the air right out of her. Something hovers above her, snarling, dripping down blood mixed with what they think is foamed up saliva onto them, while they desperately push it back up with their hands around its neck and her arms locked straight. The sound of snapping teeth and angry growls fills her ears and she looks up and…

It's Alex.

Undeniably. Despite her warped appearance, she'd recognize her friend anywhere. Eyes rolled back, unnaturally long fangs threatening to bite down, dark veins crossing her skin, but still in her iconic blueish flannel and with her long, dark blonde hair. Their eyes meet, yet there's nothing but enraged thirst in response to Rowan's silent plea for recognition, mercy.

This is what became of the Soul Riders..?

Just as Rowan's arms are about to give way, Cosmos springs into action and bites down on Alex's arm, pulling her off of his rider. Rowan stares in horror as her steed throws the husk of her friend onto the ground, stomping and kicking in blind rage, while Alex just screeches in fury. It seems this meal is too much effort for her, as she suddenly stumbles back, choosing to flee the scene, but not before being properly chased off by Cosmos.

When he returns to his rider's side, she's only managed to sit up, one eye half closed while the other inspects her arms…

It burns. And not like it had before. Suppressing her magic has given her rashes covering most of her body, small little wounds, and they tended to sting. But this? No, this felt different. The yellow-greenish liquid coating them should've made it obvious, but she didn't know. All she knew was that something was wrong.

(The Rowan vampire arc starts. Yay!! <3)

[highhorsegirl]

Rowan vs Bella apocalypse experience

[highhorsegirl]

Day 4 of prompt month! @dark-rider-pr

CW: talk of disease (again) and also angst

They were nearing the end. Almost 20 days later. Almost.

At this point, Rowan had given up on trying... well, anything. She's too weak, either way. It feels like her body ceased functioning, but her consciousness remains intact. She tried to keep her usual routine up, but that all ended near day 14, when their body outright rejected the apple she tried to eat. Barely a bite, and they were curled up on themself, coughing up the tiny portion of fruit and an excessive amount of saliva. They cried for 20 minutes straight afterwards. There was no recovery or return.

Day 19 is nearing its end. At least, they think so. The last day or two has been... a blur. She remembers Cosmos trying to carry her still when she became motionless on his back. She vaguely remembers falling to the ground. That's where they've stayed for... some amount of time, they don't know anymore. They tried getting up at some point but their limbs refused to answer, so they abandoned that idea as well.

Cosmos stands next to her in her near-dead state, simply observing her and their surroundings. Until Rowan is gone, he shall stand with her, he thinks. He'd tell her if she could hear him. Hopefully the gesture is enough.

With their eyes fixed on the night sky, the last thing she'll ever see, they couldn't help but smile weakly. Lucky. A clear night. Being so far away from any artificial lights, the stars seem to shine twice as bright as usual, illuminating each galaxy in the far, far, distance.

Despite her aching bones, each vein shooting pangs of pain through her, and overwhelming nausea, they feel almost at peace.

[highhorsegirl]

Hunger hunger hunger hunger hunger hunger hunger hunger hunger

The previously still form rose again, awakening from its coma. Energy surged through its veins again. And as it stood, all it could think about was how starved it was. But the apples in its bag was not right. No, that cannot satisfy. With senses growing stronger for each second, the creature scanned its environment. A city, bustling with life, but heavily guarded. No... too hungry. A small set of houses, less people, but with little defense. Oh, yes. That'll do nicely.

@dark-rider-pr and so she wakes C: