THE CALL OF THE VOID [c]

[Kezz]

my visions ARE NEVER WHAT THEY SEEM TAG Bef & Heph MOOD - WORDS 548 NOTES Blah

I

n the split second Lunette was given to decide between life and death, she saw her entire, albeit abysmal, life splutter before her eyes - cliche? Yes. The truth? Also yes. From her tragic birth, to her even more pathetic childhood, nothing had worked out and maybe it never would; perhaps this was how her life was supposed to pan out. She was that girl whom everyone either pitied or despised, but never the one that people bothered to befriend nor get to know. What was the point? She'd only give you a shrug and a gently woven frown that spoke volumes: please, leave me alone. Rejected by her 'family', Luna had deserted them as soon as was possible. The mare was no fool; she had understood just how much she relied on the herd for protection and food, there was no way she was leaving it without knowing she could survive on her own, no matter how miserable they made her existence.

And yet, even under the eye of her father, Luna had always been a skinny little thing with bones that stretched at the seams of her skin, coat dulled over time by her malnutrition and temples sunken despite her obvious youth. A sad state of affairs when it was clear she might have been a true beauty queen. Now that dream was long gone, and nothing was left besides an underweight scrawny kid. Except Lunette was a child no longer, she was nearing four years old and was old enough to bring her own babe into this world so unforgiving and harsh. Not that luna had any plans of committing such an atrocity any time soon. The palomino could not imagine anything worse.

Now, getting back to the present day, Lunette made the decision of life, and instinctively pivoted around before tearing off through the forest, just before the wolf made it's ambush. Two more followed her wake. Luna felt her heart pulsating like a trapped, dying bird, knowing that one wrong move and her throat would be latched onto and sliced open. This was the thought that kept her running, because at the end of it all she was a coward, just like everybody else. Sweat began to lather on the fae's shoulders, and her lungs heaved with the effort of bolting through the dark woodland, not knowing where the hell it would bring her too. But she could not stop - the sound of death snapped at her heels, their jaws slavering in hunger. It was far too suddenly that the lake appeared; brain whirring just that second too slowly to stop her limbs from the incessant pumping cycle they were frozen in... and before she what was happening, Lunette found herself tumbling head first into the water - a silent scream on the tip of her tongue as she crashed beneath the surface.

There was water in every orifice imaginable. Darkness shrouded her in it's cloak, keeping her from the sunlight that was fading to the west - night would soon be upon them all. For a moment Luna considered simply allowing herself to sink until all the pain was gone, would everything be bearable in death? Or would she feel nothing at all? There was only one way to find out.

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[♕BEFERA]

H E P H A E S T U S
rolling in on a burning tire, you're gonna set my house on fire
just to show me you were there

The air was crisp and cool, and as the bay tsar strode out of the prickly expanse of the Forest of Whispers, the frozen abyss of the lake before him was a beautiful sight. He knew not of the creatures that lurked beneath the waters, nor of the aura of dread the surrounded this place. To him, it was simply a lake, and a beautiful one at that. Hephaestus felt himself appreciating the aesthetics of these new lands more than anything now, and he was eager to see the beauty of its female inhabitants, as well. All was quiet besides the soft lapping of the dark waters of Pacifist's Lake up onto the shore until the peacefulness of the day was interrupted by the frantic growling and snarling of wolves. Hephaestus's harks shot skyward in surprise, and his crimson visionaries scanned frantically for the source of the sound. He wasn't afraid of these wolves, per-say, but he feared for whatever they were chasing. Where there were predators, there was also prey.

The chocolate stag inhaled a sharp breath as he looked upon the wolves' prey. Had his eyes deceived him? A palomino angel barreled out from the forest and crashed into the icy waters of the lake. She was beautiful, even in her frantic, panicked movements. Hephaestus, without any hesitation, galloped with a buried fury toward the trio of canines without much of a plan as to how to get rid of them, but luckily, the beasts saw his large, strong frame coming for them and quickly turned and fled. Hephaestus gave a piercing call to seal the deal, and the wolves were gone. He quickly turned to the mare in the water and leapt for her, cold, dark water splashing up onto his chest and face as he entered the lake. The ivory-streaked brute spoke, his tones soft but urgent, as he looked over the mare's sinking frame. "Sweet golden miss, this is not a place for your body to rest. Let Hephaestus take you to the shore." The stallion tried to grasp for the mare's crest, and if he was able to latch onto her, he would try to lift her up out of the water and onto the shore. He would not allow a creature so beautiful to die in a place like this, or to die at all. He swore at this moment that he would protect her, whoever she was.

words: 404
tagged: Lunette
muse: p good

[Kezz]

MY FEAR PULLS ME OUT TO SEA
AND THE STARS ARE HIDDEN BY MY PRIDE AND MY ENEMIES

Everything was silent - and she began to dream of how her life could have been had her mother lived. Her sweet, honey-eyed mama who had succumbed to the bleeding and the fever in her bones, dying within hours of Luna's birth. Yet the girl remembered her clear as day; her voice, though raspy, radiating love and safety, her weak smile filling her daughter's heart up with warmth. But that had all been ripped away after Dream passed on, and Lunette was handed over to another nursing mare who didn't give a damn about the golden filly. From then on it was nothing but words of severity and looks that made her want to shrivel up and die. The herd looked down upon Luna as though she were vermin - a hindrance and nothing more. Many, including the girl herself, questioned with Castiel had not simply ended her life at birth? It would have been much easier for everyone. And as she sank deeper beneath the water, she felt a sense of overriding calm envelope her mind. At last she could be free...

Wrong. Pain pierced her nirvana, the feeling of teeth clamping down upon her neck and she squirmed suddenly; brought back to life with the shock of instinct. Lunette found herself emerging from the water, gasping for air and bleeding from her crest, though her vision was still blurred. Who the hell had done this? Was she dead? Her avian frame began to quake, and her legs crumbled from beneath; weakened by the lack of oxygen. Lunette was aware of a presence nearby; obviously the creature who had 'rescued' her from death, and though she knew it was equine, she could not discern who it was exactly. Not that she knew anybody round here in any case. She was a new girl, a foreigner and it was clear she did not fit in well. And so, with this firmly in mind, Luna blinked away the water from her eyes and stared up at the shadowy figure to her right. His scent was overpowering, and the palomino filled with the immediate urge to stand; at least then she would be somewhat prepared. Legs splaying beneath her, Luna rose, though she still shook slightly with the effort.

The stallion whom she faced was tall, to say the least, with pale brindling across his frame, and deep, unending eyes of red that made her clench her jaw. "W - why did you do that?" It was just about all she could manage at this point, the water dripping down her little body - revealing her poor, thin condition even more. Luna sighed inaudibly, hopefully this man would turn and leave her be.

[♕BEFERA]

H E P H A E S T U S
rolling in on a burning tire, you're gonna set my house on fire
just to show me you were there

As soon as Hephaestus was convinced that he was doing a good thing, the taste of blood ravaged the brute's tongue, and his crimson eyes widened, surprised that he had bit down so hard upon the mare. He surely didn't mean to. The golden fae was able to stand, and Hephaestus was glad that she hadn't been injured by those wolves. The bay hessian looked into the mare's quiet, sad eyes, wondering just what had happened to her to make them look this way. He wanted to know of her tortured past, if she had one, and maybe one day he could share his own with her, too. She looked so similar... so similar... It was destiny that he had found this mare, he decided. This was just another chapter in his strange, strange life. The aureate bella was an interesting creature indeed, and Hephaestus thought so even more when her trilling tones reached his auds, beautiful but laced in misery. He did not reply just yet, but gave her a small smile before turning to step out of the icy water. He halted, then, upon the rocky beach, his hooves clattering and clashing against wave-worn stones. The mahogany stallion thrashed his duo-toned whipcord directly skyward and down again, tossing water every-which-way. Then he spoke, a calm smile still painted upon his handsome features. "Hephaestus apologizes for breaking your delicate skin, dearest golden angel. He only wished to see you safe and happy in a world that needs more beautiful things." The brute's tones were gentle but deep, trying not to scare the already shooken-up mare.

He gave her a small bow of his skull then, and when he rose, he examined the her body more closely, watching as the water dripped from her sun-kissed coat and sandy-hued tresses. "Hephaestus wishes to help you, miss, in whatever you may need. And, if he may ask, does this miss have a name?" The dark bay's ebonite maw spread his smile wider, though he could feel the cold waters of the lake freezing upon his bodice. The two would need to get somewhere warm soon, or they would risk frostbite or worse. He did not want to pressure the mare into following him, not yet, as he could tell she was not very happy to have been saved. She obviously wasn't jumping for joy, but Hephaestus wasn't in it for the gratification of doing a good deed. All he wanted was to see this mare live a happy and full life, and of course not to die in the depths of a very cold lake.

words: 432
tagged: Lunette
muse: still p good

[Kezz]

MY FEAR PULLS ME OUT TO SEA
AND THE STARS ARE HIDDEN BY MY PRIDE AND MY ENEMIES

Lunette shivered, feeling the cold begin to seep beneath her thin outer coat and into her bones; her breeding wasn't exactly suitable for winter. But perhaps it wasn't the weather and the wetness, but simply the knowledge that she was standing next to an absolute giant of a stallion... and if he so wished to harm her in any way, what defense would she have? Speed perhaps, but in her current state even that option seemed unlikely. Thoughts of her slavery and demise at the hooves of this brute ran across her mind, causing her eyes to flicker around wildly looking for a possible way to exit - when suddenly his voice cut through her plans.

"Hephaestus apologizes for breaking your delicate skin, dearest golden angel. He only wished to see you safe and happy in a world that needs more beautiful things." His style of speech caught Luna off-guard, she'd never met anyone who spoke in third person like this fellow did, and her ears twitched in brief curiosity. She then glanced down and around at the blood which was beginning to dry around the small wound he had created, and shrugged. Physical damage was nothing new to Luna; she'd endured it her entire life and so a bite as little as this was no big deal. It was what his next move might be that made her skin crawl with anxiety. Rape, now that was something she hadn't experienced before... was this Hephaestus cooking up a way to pull down her guard and pounce whenever she wasn't looking?

"Hephaestus wishes to help you, miss, in whatever you may need. And, if he may ask, does this miss have a name?" The golden filly had remained silent but for her raspy, weak breath and the sound of pebbles beneath her hooves as she inched away. And at first she was reluctant to give away her identity; it seemed to be the only shred of dignity she held onto, and now he would take that too. But not wanting to anger him, Luna complied, "I am Lunette," a pause, a gulp, a deep inhale, "and I don't need your help," she stole a fleeting glance at his face, "thank you," before snapping straight back to staring between her front hooves once more.

[♕BEFERA]

H E P H A E S T U S
rolling in on a burning tire, you're gonna set my house on fire
just to show me you were there

This was one of the most skittish mares that Hephaestus had ever come across, even in his various travels outside of these lands. All he wanted was to calm her down and get her somewhere warmer, but it didn't seem as though this mare wanted much to do with him. She was shivering and twitchy, so the dark bay stallion figured that something very traumatic had happened to her, and quite recently. She didn't seem too phased by the small wound he hd unknowingly inflicted upon the crest of her nape, so maybe she was still worried about those wolves? It didn't cross Hephaestus's mind at this point that she would be fearful of him. At last, the golden mare gave her calling. The words that followed weren't as important to the bay brute, though he did listen, and watch as she glanced up at him and then back down to the sod. The brindled hessian's facade lit up with glee, and he replied, "Lunette. A beautiful name to accompany a beautiful face. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He paused for a moment, processing now what she had said about not needing help. It was clear that she did, so Hephaestus was a bit confused as to why she would claim that she didn't need it. Ah, it was that she didn't want it. He had figured it out now.

But would he let her wander about all alone, until another predator tried to hunt her down, or until she tripped and fell into another lake? Of course not. Not after the promise he had made to himself when he came to these lands. Not after all that had happened to him. He spoke once more, and as he did, he took a small step toward the mare, hoping she would allow him to move a bit closer without fleeing. "You are most welcome, Lady Lunette. Hephaestus sees that you're looking quite cold, and he himself has become cold, as well. Maybe it's time to adjourn from this place, to somewhere more comfortable, less frozen?" He smiled warmly, bowing his head down fairly far, trying to be more level with the mare's eyes. He sensed now more than ever her fear, and finally, the thought came to him: he was the one she feared now. Not the wolves, not the cold. His eyes widened, and his maw parted slightly for a few moments before he spoke again. "Hephaestus will not hurt you... not intentionally. He is a kind stallion. Could you find it within yourself to trust him?" The bay looked at the golden mare's deep, sad eyes, waiting for her gaze to meet his own. He felt a bit guilty for making the mare bleed, and he wanted to apologize once more, but kept quiet, wanting the mare to make her own decision. If she were to refuse him again, he decided, then he would leave her be. He wondered if he could still keep an eye on her in that situation: if it would be alright for him to guard her safety from afar. She didn't seem as though she had anyone else, for those with loved ones are supposed to be happy, aren't they?

words: 539
tagged: Lunette
muse: getting better yayyy

[Kezz]

MY FEAR PULLS ME OUT TO SEA
AND THE STARS ARE HIDDEN BY MY PRIDE AND MY ENEMIES

There were several reasons as to why Lunette was so reluctant to relax, and hand out her trust like it was not her's to protect in the first place, but for now she had no intention of revealing them to Hephaestus or anyone else for that matter. It was fair to say she was embarrassed by her past; the semi-orphan who nobody liked or cared about. The fae had never, in her entire life, had a friend, and so perhaps this was why she found it so troublesome to interact languidly with others. Conversing, or even standing near, another equine was an incredibly tense and stressful experience that Luna tried to avoid at all costs. And she she been of a rude character there is no doubt that she would have already departed this particular scene... but that was just it: Lunette, despite everything, was meek and polite; though some would say this was simply a conditioned behaviour stemmed from fear and submission. Surrounded by dominating mares during her childhood, she'd learnt that speaking out of turn resulted in punishment, one way or another. And Luna was no fool; she did not make the same mistake twice.

As the bay stud spoke again, her jaw clenched in anticipation of what he had to say. Lunette would be lying she said she wasn't expecting retribution from her refusal, so when he simply asked if she'd like to find somewhere warmer, she was quite taken aback. However, although his tone was gentle, the offer sparked a flare of concern in her eyes; where is he going to take me? Mid-thought, Hephaestus spoke one more. "Hephaestus will not hurt you... not intentionally. He is a kind stallion. Could you find it within yourself to trust him?" Was he lying? Was he truly a genuine stranger with intentions of gold? The night was drawing in, and Luna knew the dangers that lurked all around. The wolves would most certainly be waiting in the shadows, if hypothermia didn't claim her first, especially since the femme had no idea about the layout of these lands. The question was this: would she be safer with Hephaestus or not? Torn by the decision of life and death, Lunette frowned and gazed out over the lake that rippled in the coming moonlight. Maybe if she simply accompanied him till the sun rose?

Finally, after what must have seemed like forever, Lunette gave him her answer - "Okay."

[♕BEFERA]

H E P H A E S T U S
rolling in on a burning tire, you're gonna set my house on fire
just to show me you were there

The bay stag stood very still and watched the golden mare's small movements as the gears in her mind were turning. He couldn't help but keep thinking of how closely she resembled the love he had lost so many years ago. He had a different name, a different life... It was a time he wished he could return to sometimes. Other times, though, he was thankful for this new life he had embarked upon, and thankful for the hardships that changed him. Maybe this mare felt similarly about her life, but maybe not. Maybe the two of them could move forward together, and potentially leave their hardships, though they had shaped them, behind. It was a hope that Hephaestus kept close to his heart, now, as he waited for the little mare to speak. After a long while, her cooing tones flowed to his auds once more in a single word of acceptance. A bright smile flooded the bay's countenance and he rose his head up slowly as not to spook her. "Wonderful! Come, Lady Lunette of the golden moon, and Hephaestus will show you a warmer world." He had succeeded in giving Lunette several nicknames after having just met her within the hour. It was a quirky kind of skill that Hephaestus had developed along with his name and other quirks about him that served to keep him sane. He hoped that she didn't mind such names, for they were always derived from kindness and affection, no matter who it was that he was bestowing various names upon.

Hephaestus turned his skull to scan the area around them, making sure that those wolves he had chased off earlier were actually gone. He exhaled slowly, a steady stream of white steam flowing fro his nares. Then he looked back to Lunette, gave another smile, and then motioned her to follow him as he began to stride away from the shore and back into the forest. He knew of a land that he intended to claim where he hoped she would be quite comfortable. The barrier of trees in the Forest of Whispers and also within this other land would help to keep her shielded from the cold winds until her coat and skin could dry.

words: 374
tagged: Lunette
muse: still okay. they're going to head over to The Shroud as soon as it's accepted. I have to post with him in another thread and then we should be good. I'll start a thread over there and we can continue this at that time. :D

[Kezz]

MY FEAR PULLS ME OUT TO SEA
AND THE STARS ARE HIDDEN BY MY PRIDE AND MY ENEMIES

The palomino did nothing but stare up at him through dark, endless eyes as the stallion nickered to her joyously; he sure did seem happy that she was accompanying him, and Luna couldn't help but wonder why? Was he lonely? Did he crave company, be it male or female? Or was he simply a psychopathic killer delighted at the prospect of a fresh victim? The skin around her withers twitched uncertainly as he stalked away, and she threw one last worried glance over her shoulder before following suit in silence. The night was upon them in full force now, moonlight streaming down in swathes though as they thudded deeper into the forest, the more obscure their vision became. But oddly this did not concern Lunette, in fact, she found comfort in the near-invisibility and the gentle cloaking of darkness. She felt safe, but for the sound of Hephaestus' breathing and his large, powerful hooves hitting the floor of dead leaves and soil. That was what made her jumpy and on edge, keeping her straining eyes upon him at all times; she wanted to risk nothing. There was a small part of Luna that did consider the possibility that the hessian was innocent, and had pure, good, gentlemanly intentions, but as I said, it was very, very small, and was overpowered by her instinct for cynicism .

Despite her anxiety, the little wet mare pondered on whether she should ask him a few questions? She was in two minds: Lunette was not interested in the lives of others, or at least, she'd learnt not to be, but she also felt like she should vet him. Maybe then she'd be able to make a decision on this stranger's reliability. Because at the end of the day, Hephaestus was a stranger, and that made him a threat in her eyes. Saving her from death meant nothing - for all she knew he had something far more sinister planned. And so she cleared her throat quietly, "Where are you taking me? Do you live there?"