Now I Lay me Down to Sleep (OPEN to outland members)

[Captain Flighty]

[smear:ffd95c]the sea and the rock below, cocked to the undertow[/smear:400252:3]
[smear:400252]NOVELTY[/smear:ffd95c]
[smear:400252]bones, blood, and teeth erode, with every crashing node[/smear:ffd95c:3]


[smear:#ffd95c]Golden and ivory threads hung in limp tangled dreads over her nape, her once shimmering coat was thick, matted with mud and sticks and blood. Her body was covered in wounds, her limbs swollen around the joints. Her skin seemed to cling to the bones; stretched tightly over her skeleton with no fat reserves and very little muscle mass left. Her once sky blue eyes were grey now, like storm clouds, her mind clearly lost in their haze. Pain had been such a constant companion for so long that she barely noticed it anymore. It was a dull throbbing over her entire body and through all her bones; an incessant buzzing in the back of her mind that was slowly, oh so very slowly driving her insane. Her rib cage expanded slowly then; nares flared as her aching limbs continued to pull her inanely along.

Very little mattered to her anymore. Leading the Outlands didn't matter. Holding power in this land her family had lived in for countless generations didn't matter. The flies buzzing all around her, biting and chewing at her flesh didn't matter. The filfth crusted to her body didn't matter. The maggots writhing around in the rotting wounds didn't matter. The hollow fluttering her heart did every few beats didn't matter. She was dying, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that she held on just a little longer. Just a little longer. She had to be close now, had to be somewhere familiar soon. Her swollen abdomen was the only healthy looking part of her; as if all her life was draining into the child that now struggled inside of her. Any day now, any day he would be born and she would die. She would hold on until then, and she would hold onto him until she found home... She didn't doubt that she would. It was the only hope that remained now.

She inhaled deeply once more, closing her eyes against the pain each breath caused; so much sharper than the other agony. Her heart fluttered suddenly and she stumbled, barely managing to catch herself before she collapsed completely. She felt like she'd been absent from her life for years, though it had only been months. Long, pain-filled months of torture and fear. She had always thought herself unbreakable, but they'd shown her otherwise. She could still feel them on her skin, still hear them. But that didn't matter now, all that mattered now was that she could smell Wyern and Megrim and Caden and Raith; her family; her home. Tears sprang to her stormy eyes; her breath catching in her throat as the hope burned in her heart.

She didn't know how long she'd been gone, but she knew in her heart that none of them would have ever given up hope for her, it was the only thing that had kept her own hope alive. Her faith in them; her belief that they were out there looking for her, waiting for her to return was the only thing that had survived; untouched by her tormentors. She could barely breath through her tears but she forced herself to continued forward; winding her way through the forest she'd once known so well. Her hooves carried her through the winding path; stone walls rising on either side of the forest, and she didn't even have to think about where to go next.

Her heart was flying by the time she emerged from the forested path and into the deep valley of the Outlands. She inhaled deeply; ignoring the pain it caused in her ribs and let loose a scream wrought of pain and relief and joy all at once. She had no strength left, she lowered herself to the hard, hot ground before she collapsed, and there she waited for her family to find her.[/smear:#400252]

ooc; ok so its terrible and i dont know the details of what happened to her or who the father is but i'm just going to let this play out and we'll figure it out as the thread goes on. so bear with me as i get back into character and back into posting in general. FYI i am not really back, i just borrowed a computer for the night.

[`Şŧaŧi№vå_]

I can tell you've never been true to me I can smell that you're acting so fearfully I can hear what you're hoping I want to hear I can feel the alarm bells ringing in me Megrim stood upon the open cliffs of the fading Outlands, the heat of the sun simmering on her onyx topline. The damsel pondered over the decision of releasing her father. But it was too late now, he was gone and out of reach for the subject to matter. Megrim heaved out a sigh, the lands have become quite quiet lately and nobody besides herself and other guards and judges of the outlands remained, and their young. Megrim had grown quite cold since Novelty's departure, she barely spoke to others and she tended to keep her distance from others unless they came to her with questions. Even then she would simply bark out orders and leave with Themis tailing behind. Now the two looked down on the outlands, Themis sitting by her side. The young kit Megrim once saved years ago was now a full grown vixen. The two stood at the top of the cliffs for awhile, the gargoyled damsel staring into the sky when Themis perked her little white ears. Megrim paid no attention to the three-tailed vixen, assuming she had spotted a bunny near. Themis stood up, her hackles raised and she let out a menacing bark and snarled. Megrim looked at the vix and followed her gazed down into the valley, spotting a skinny nag crawling its way into the outlands. The creature was much too far away for Megrim to see anything such as color. She considered chasing the foreigner out but it seemed like too much work for such a land that was losing its power. She turned away from the cliffs, beginning her walk back to the catacombs. The nag let out scream, the scream filled with pain and desperation and Megrim stopped dead. She knew that voice, but never heard it in such bone chilling tones that drew shivers down her spine. Immediately the friesian damsel turned on her hindquarters and ran to the cliff, looking down upon the nag that collapsed to the hot sand. Novelty! Megrim dashed towards the cliffside, running frantically down the the dangerous rockface. Stones and pebbles flying over the cliff's edge and under her hooves made the sounds of clattering, almost as if an avalanche of rocks were chasing the black damsel and the white kitsune that struggled to keep up, the bleached vixen skidded on unsettled rocks that the gargoyled damsel tore from the cliff. When the ebonite damsel hit the valley floor, she wasted no time running full-fledged across the cracked desert. Her limbs ate up the ground and muscled strained to go faster as adrenaline rushed into her veins, her heart pounding like a heavy hammer. Twigs and debris raked across the gargoyled ess, but it didn't slow her down. She didnt care about herself or her legs being sliced open or the crimson liquid that ran down them. All she cared about was Novelty, her beloved Novelty. The damsel launched herself towards the entrance of the outlands. Far across the hot desert, just at the the breakage of trees to sand could Megrim see Novelty's frame, weak and collapsed. Megrim could feel the tears begin to sting her eyes, shaking her head as she tried to keep them away but with failure as they began to blur her vision. As Megrim neared Novelty, she didnt slow down until the last two strides where she skidded to a stop, her hindquarters sitting under her and sending sand flying. "Novelty..!" Megrim's voice was full of sorrow and love for her ruler. The damsel looked over Novelty's beaten and weak body, scars and marks covered the golden mares skin, Oh my dear Novelty..... I am so sorry.. I should have never let you leave.. Megrim cried, reaching her muzzle down to Novelty's cheek before she lowered her black frame to the ground, curling her body around the mare that was once strong and showed megrim the same caring love to the damsel when she was only a foal. The black onyx mare let out a wail, her screams echoing across the outlands full of sorrow for her shattered Novelty. Themis sat looking on, crawling over to the two mares where she laid. Megrim's cries shook her body as she laid beside her friend, her love, the mare who practically raised her, the mare who was practically her mother. Megrim could not believe this creature she thought a nag was her beautiful, strong Novelty that she now cradled, weak and almost lifeless beside her. "Novelty..... novelty...... novelty..." The black onyx mare cried over and over again and again, not paying any attention to the world outside of the small and fragile, palomino novetly. The mare whose white locks Megrim buried her face into and cried for. MEGRIM MADE ME CRY, IM SO SAD NOW I can touch but I know you don't feel a thing I can pray but I know you commit a sin I can sense now it's all become clear to see You're no good, and you mean no good, treacherously

[愛 S I D D E H 愛]

[smear:a7c0d6]C A D E N[/smear:233849]

[smear:a7c0d6]I'm done with systems, I'm done with reasons
I'm done with questions, Done with bleeding[/smear:233849]

[smear:a7c0d6]
Caden returned to the decaying Outlands. They were dying in the absence of the punisher. Novelty. Caden had grown fond of the palomino robed mare. She was powerful, and proud. That memory of her would forever remain intact in his brain. He slithered through the Outlands in hopes that Novelty would have returned. The towering judge could not help but give in to the anxiety he was feeling. The confident soldier usually did not experience such emotion. Today seemed ominous however. Everything was off, the dying lands, the missing lead. Caden's face remained stoic as he moved further into the heart. Coming from Cocytus the temperature differences were impressive. Caden almost wanted to turn away in his progression. Allowing his gaze to wander, spotting Megrim just a head of him. The foal they bore was in Cocytus with Sentiment. He trusted his son to look after his half sibling. He was four now after all. It was then the full force of his time here hit. Three years. He'd been in this position.

Caden still remembered the day Novelty had picked him out. Wyvern's distaste for the former soldier was not hidden. Yet Novelty never doubted the soldier's loyalty. The hessian had remained true. Immediately shutting down those who spoke ill of the lovely golden mare. Caden didn't bother to call out to Megrim. He imagined they were both searching for the same reason. Then her smell hit him like a ton of bricks. It was soiled with blood, and decay. The smell made his stomach churn, and forced his pace to pick up quickly. There was a figure shifting deeper in his direction, Megrim's direction. There was no mistake that this was Novelty. Even with the soiled stench she wore, he could see her swollen belly now. A rage boiled in his veins, mingling with the rush of anxiety. His cold blue eyes softened with worry. The stoic demeanor was abandoned.

Caden rushed in her stumbling direction. The strong mare holding up to her name, and pressing onward. Even in the midst of her obvious death. He was coming to claim her, and Caden had no doubts about this. The neglect that had been imposed upon Novelty was atrocious. The closer he got, the sicker he got. Heated liquid began to roll down his grayed, aging face. Whether it was from anger, sadness, or anxiety he was unsure. Each step felt like a century. No matter how close he got to Novelty, it would not be close enough. Caden ignored Megrim for the time being. Though her pursuit was obviously faster than his. He couldn't find his voice to call out. It was locked in his esophagus. Sweat began to mat his pelt. The panic to reach her before her last step, last breath, invaded his very being. The feeling of being a helpless colt again plagued him. He could not rip Novelty from the throes of death. Not when he was so closely upon her flesh. Invading every wound that marred the once healthy, and beautiful hide. The once proud mare who appeared so frail before the judges. Caden's mixed emotions ran rampant with each step. Each breath he was not beside Novelty.

Despite how close she and Megrim were, Caden had never took such time. He did not ever have the chance to tell her the world he'd created with her in it. What he thought. All of these thoughts came slamming into his skull. He could feel his muscles protest. The years of silence, the years of refraining from emotion flooded out. Only when faced with the death of a loved one did he realize the errors he had made with her. Caden's teeth ground into each other. His lungs heaving in a labored manner. The separation of the Outlands was imminent now. Caden's movements had slowed. He could not simply barrel into Novelty in her condition. No matter how desperate he was to see her. It was like some awful nightmare in a loop. Megrim's frame was phasing out of his view. Tunneling out, and focusing only on the dying Punisher. It marked the death of the Outlands. Megrim's original flight had cued his approach of Novelty. The scream had further solidified his belief. He was close on the heels of Megrim once they hit the desert. The sand did not forgive Caden's weight as easily. Slowing him further.

Novelty hit the ground, and Caden felt his heart break. The proud mare collapsing into the sand, and Megrim's cries pained him. His listeners flicked as Megrim wept, her voice repeating Novelty's name. The towering stag threw himself to the ground opposite the side Megrim claimed. Pressing his lips against the mare's flesh, the hot liquid rolling down his face quickly. "Novelty." Caden managed to breathe out. He did not want to move himself. He cast once glance at Megrim and then back down towards Novelty. Sobs began to wrack his own body, something entirely foreign to the former soldier. "You're safe now." He uttered in a broken voice once more. Indicating she need not strain any longer to get to them. Simply be surrounded by them.




[/smear:233849]

[Captain Flighty]

[smear:ffd95c]the sea and the rock below, cocked to the undertow[/smear:400252:3]
[smear:400252]NOVELTY[/smear:ffd95c]
[smear:400252]bones, blood, and teeth erode, with every crashing node[/smear:ffd95c:3]


[smear:#ffd95c]She heard the thundering of hooves just before she felt the beats rushing up from the ground and through her body. It was like she could feel the hearts of her family beating through her very soul. Her faded, once blue eyes searched for them; her head struggling to rise from the ground. Her eyes laid first on Megrim; her beautiful, painted figure was like a fiery storm racing toward her. And then there was Caden; his beautiful granite form moving toward her. Her heart hammered in her chest and tears poured down her bloodstained features. They threatened to cloud her vision but she blinked them away so that she could look upon her loved ones. She'd never seen such beautiful creatures in all her life. A smile spread 'cross her once velvety lips and she could feel them cracking open old wounds but she ignored the pain. Her wasted body had strength pulsing through it once more.

Suddenly Megrim's warmth was there; all around her as her warm strong body seemed to curl around Novelty's wasted frame. She closed her stormy eyes and reveled in the sound of her beautiful Megrim's voice. "No, no, Megrim, no fault lies with you." Novelty whispered; her once regal voice nothing more than a cracked and faded whisper; further testiment to the horror of everything that had happened to her. The sound was a hollow reflection of what she'd once been.

And then Caden was at her other side; and she felt like she was truly home once more. Novelty turned her eyes upon his beautiful face and saw the tear spilling over and then his broken words filled her ears and her heart stuttered. The powerful stag made her heart weep with a sorrowful happiness and she smiled as her tears poured anew. "My loves, I am so sorry I left you. I would have never abandoned you of my own will." she whispered. She mourned at bringing two such powerful creatures to such sorrow, but she'd had to return to them, no matter what else. The life inside her had to live on, had to know her family.

She pressed her skull against Caden's; breathing in his scent and Megrim's as she closed her eyes. There was another scent upon the air however and her heart squeezed in her chest and her throat closed off her breathing for several seconds as she struggled to open her eyes once more. Her storm cloud eyes fell upon a creature of flame and ivory hues that suddenly stood before her. Her eyes traced up and over his body and finally stopped upon his murky eyes. Tears filled those muddy eyes and poured down his bloody face; leaving clean trails through the blood on his lips. The scent of death and fear was thick upon him. His skin was pale beneath the flaming hues of his coat and his pupils were pin points in his eyes; as if he hadn't seen the sun in weeks, perhaps months. As he stared down at her she knew that he must have been maddened by his loss of her and been driven to levels of torture upon the prisoners beyond anything he'd ever done before.

"I looked for you..." He assured her, his voice barely more than a whisper, as if afraid she would not believe him.

She nodded, unable to speak through the tears that threatened to choke her.

"I should have never stopped." he said as he closed his eyes in shame; his skull dropping nearly to the ground.

"No." she whispered. "They'd have killed you Wyvern." She assured him. She knew without doubt they'd have killed her beloved Wyvern. He was strong and vicious and brave, but they would not have fought fair. Their were six of them and all far larger than Wyvern in height and build. She shivered in horror at the thought of what may have happened had he tracked her down.

Wyvern looked back to her, as if to deny they could have harmed him, but he stayed silent as their eyes met. He knew by the look on her face that she spoke the truth. Silence reigned over the gathering as so much passed between them all in total silence. It wasn't long before others were there as well; her eyes falling last upon Raith who brushed his lips over her cheek; so many words passing between them in that simple touch.

Novelty took a deep, ragged breath; her skin seeming to cling even tighter to her bones as she struggled to shift her position enough to relieve the growing discomfort in her abdomen. The child inside her kicked more violently than ever before and she cried out in startled, painful joy at the strength of the foal. She heard Wyvern gasp then and she looked up just in time to see the shocked realization on his face as he saw that she was heavy with child.

"You must all promise me, one final thing." she whispered, her voice fading more still. She could feel Death wrapping all around her. The strength her family gave her was no enough to keep him away much longer. Her limbs were cold and growing numb and though fire and love beat through her veins she could feel that cold spreading further.[/smear:#400252]

© Flighty 2005-2014

[Captain Flighty]

Are we gonna finish this guys? I'd really like for her final post not be one that just dies....i know my posts are crud right now but i'm doing the best i can. Dont mean to rush u guys but ya.....

[愛 S I D D E H 愛]

Yep, but I don't want to post out of order. `Şŧaŧi№vå_

[Captain Flighty]

Im sending stat a message if she doesnt post meg within 24 hours lets continue.

[Captain Flighty]

Stats cool with us continueing without her, maybe just a post or two more from each of us and itll b done.