Sometimes we all need a little fantasy to help survive the reality
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Post by Pippin on Jun 28, 2023 10:43:30 GMT -7
Cassian The path Cassian followed was both familiar and strange to him. He felt a stab of pain remembering that Casi had been with them that last time they ad made this journey as well. It was familiar because he could recall the first time he made this trek, butterflies having a party with his insides. It was also foreign to him as Cassian realized because the nervous he had felt he didn't remember much of what lay on the path to the afterlife rivers. This time was different, he was here only as an observer, to watch Native Dancer drink and accept the powers and responsibility of the Vigilum. Behind him Dur and the mare they had chosen followed. Cassian was ashamed to admit he didn't know the mare, in spite of all her time she said was spent at their mountain. He wondered if Dur had met Nati before she came forward with her name to officially join them. He supposed it really didn't matter. He had to admit to himself he was happy someone with experience had come forward. With how turbulent the world was right now it was good they would not have to spend extra time getting her up to speed and ready.Nothing major had accrued in the war yet. A little scuffle and tugging back and forth between the two sides. But Cassian was sure this stage would not last long and real fighting would began to happen. It would be their job to help both sides, anyway they could. He still wasn't sure how they would accomplish this. To remine truly neutral and separate from the conflict was going to be hard on all three of them. But he was sure they would find away. Maybe they would even find away to end this war all together. Wouldn't that be something? The sound of the rivers reached them long before they actually came into view and Cassian put thoughts of the war from his mind for the moment. Cassian wondered anew what the Versai and the Helkaer rituals involved as he took the middle path, walking besides the river Justice leaving the other two rivers behind. He shook his head, that also didn't matter right now. Soon he found the little path the led to the quite pool the River Justice fed into. The clearing was as he remember, still and quite. He imagined he feel the magic of the place, cloaking the clearing with a heavy blanket. He come to stop a few paces from the pool. He was quite for a few minuets just gazing into the water as he waited for his companions to catch up. After a moment he looked up, meeting Durs gaze for a heartbeat before looking towards the new recruit. He smiled at her and nodded his spotted head towards the water. "When you feel ready," He spoke, his voice hushed as if afraid to break the magic quite of this place, "Drink from the pool, receive your brand and accept the responsibilities of the Vigilum once more."
Tagged: Sunfrost Indi Muse: Good Words: 512Notes: Happy to have Nati join us! Image by Fleur-De-Liason
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Post by Sunfrost on Jul 5, 2023 4:22:08 GMT -7
DURAMUS The walk to the River of Justice was short from Mount Vigilum, and painfully familiar, though Dur had hoped not to walk this path again within his time with the Vigilum. He was the closest to retirement out of all of them, at eighteen years of age. Or at least, he had been the closest. Their new member was almost his age, he recalled, though with distant amusement he knew he was the Grandfather of the Mount still. Casi had left them, knowing within himself that he had failed to live up to the neutral ideals the Vigilum espoused. That was more important now than ever, given the war going on. Dur had regretted Casi’s decision, but he couldn’t lie to himself. He knew within his heart that Casi had had to leave them and could not remain a member of their Council. His feelings had developed further when it had taken a while for a single candidate to step up to the open Vigilum position, though it had changed from nervousness to gratitude when it was Native Dancer who had taken up the helm.
Nati was one of the original members of the Vigilum, and she lived on the Mount still. A forced early retirement had caused her to leave their ranks. When she’d come forward and offered to rejoin them, espousing her skillset in conflict mediation in particular, it had been a no brainer for both Cassian and himself to accept her back. Dur had no doubt that Nati would be a sterling addition to their ranks. Hopefully, they would be able to remain at three strong members for years to come, and perhaps even take on an apprentice to help with all of the work that the war would create for them. Dur knew that he and Cassian hoped to play a key role in ending the war as quickly and painlessly as possible, and imagined that Nati felt the same way. They were united by a desire for peace, after all.
Dur was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn’t realize they were at the River of Justice until they were there, the water almost lapping at his hooves. The bay draft mix raised his gray eyes, catching Cassian’s gaze and following it to Nati. Cassian spoke, inviting Nati to drink from the pool and become Vigilum once more. Dur was happy at least one of them was in the correct headspace. He smiled warmly at Nati, motioning with his head invitingly to the pool, but saying nothing for now. He would likely have more than enough to say in a few moments, once Nati drank and the supernatural powers of the Afterlife would send words he didn’t understand flowing through his lips.
tagged// Indi Pippin notes// Welcome back Indi and Nati! <3
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Post by Indi on Aug 4, 2023 20:59:59 GMT -7
There was a great deal more to becoming a Vigilum these days than had been the case once upon a time. When first they were founded, there had been no ritual. Not even a connection to the Afterlife. Just a like-minded group of equines working together. Idly, Native Dancer found herself wondering what the rest of that original band of Vigilum would think of the changes that had taken place since those long-ago days.
Some of the changes had occurred during her time as a member -- namely, gaining supernatural abilities -- though back then it had required dealings with Afterlife factions. It was after she had needed to step down and recover her health and strength that things had changed. She did not know the details of what had happened, only that something dramatic had occurred and, when all was said and done, those aforementioned supernatural abilities no longer depended on the fickle whims of the Afterlife denizens, but instead could be accessed more directly. Somehow.
Treading this path, following Cassian and Duramus, Nati surmised that she was about to discover the answer to that particular question she had never voiced, but had often been on her mind. She could not deny curiosity, even as the sound of moving water reached pricked harks. Rivers of some kind, though not quite visible just yet. When they did come into view, it was the middle river's path the two stallions followed and Nati followed suit, even as they left the other two rivers behind. Perhaps those were connected with the Helkaer and the Versai? Considering the changes that had occurred with the Vigilum, she supposed it would make sense the same had taken place for the other two factions as well, who had also once depended on the Afterlife denizens for their supernatural abilities.
The clearing they eventually arrived in was quiet and still, something... unnatural upon the atmosphere that Nati could not quite put a hoof on. Intriguing, to say the least. Harks pressing forward to take in every little sound, dark eyes shifted to focus on Cassian even as he said, "When you feel ready, drink from the pool, receive your brand and accept the responsibilities of the Vigilum once more."
The hushed tone seemed fitting in such a place as this, though there was a faintly amused smile Nati found to be curving her lips at the situation. It was so very different from... well, anything she had before experienced or taken part in. Both as a newly-recruited member and as the one doing the recruiting all those many years ago. 'Interesting how much things have changed,' she could not help musing softly, so many nostalgic memories stirred to life as she contemplated this next step that would once again make her an official member of the Vigilum.
Taking a few careful steps forward and halting before the pool fed by the River of Justice, she paused only a moment before lowering her head slowly to drink of the water. Character;; Native Dancer Tagged;; Pippin w/Cassian Sunfrost w/Duramus Notes;; Sorry for the wait!
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Post by Pippin on Aug 21, 2023 20:53:43 GMT -7
As he waited for Nati to begin drinking Cassian found his thoughts drifting back towards his own joining. Slowly parts that had seemed fadded before suddenly became clear to the spotted stallion. Maybe it was because he had been focused on the feeling of the cool water and the power that seemed to build within his body as he drank. The low hum of magic, but beyond that he now suddenly recalled Casi and Dur speaking. Chanting words that didn't make sense. Panic settled into Cassian as he looked towards Dur. They had not gotten to speak before hand, and Cassian didn't know the words. Was he going to screw this ritual up? Dur looked clam and collected, did the other stallion think Casi had talked to Cassian about this? Then Nati was speaking and moving forward, too late for him to say anything. 'Interesting how much things have changed,' her words where as hushed as his had been and she dipped her muzzle into the pool as soon the silence claimed the clearing once more. The moment her maw touched the water Cassian felt.. something. His body was not his own, and he listened as some force opened his lips and spoke with his voice. The words where strange and made no sense to his ears. Near by, on the otherside of Nati, Dur also spoke with the same robotic tone as himself. The moment seemed to last both forever and hardly anytime at all. It felt strange but he was not afraid, knowing somehow that whatever power spoke with his voice did not intend harm. Nati was lifting her head from the pool and the Cassian found his body and voice was his own once more. He shifted his gaze to Dur for a moment, watching as he too became in control of his body once more. He then shifted his back to Nati and smile spreading over his features as he looked across her pelt trying to spot the mark of the Vigilum that would now grace her body. His own had appeared on his left side, near his rump where his plet was mostly white. "Welcome back into the Order of the Vigilum." He spoke and smiled once more. He knew it would take her some time to get used to hum of magic that would now always be present. But in time he hoped it would become a comfort to her as it was to him. Sunfrost Indi Cruddy phone post.
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Post by Sunfrost on Sept 17, 2023 17:27:16 GMT -7
DURAMUS Dur smiled as Nati mused how much things had changed. He’d have to ask her at some point if she could tell him more about what it had been like to be part of the original Vigilum. How had things changed? Were they more effective now compared to then? He would, of course, save his questions for after Nati readjusted to life as a Vigilum on the Mount, as opposed to simply life on the Mount as a whole. Dur would also have to check in with Cassian again and see how he was feeling, conducting the ritual to induct a new Vigilum for the first time. Was he freaking out, wondering if the words would come? Dur wished there was time to reassure him that there was nothing to worry about, but Nati was already lowering her head to drink from the pool.
The bay Vigilum felt the odd rush as Nati drank, the words being pulled from his throat by some otherworldly force. He, just like last time, tried to catch on to the words and remember them, but he could not. They did not make sense to him, and they were gone from him as quickly as they had come. Dur thanked whatever Afterlife force granted them this power, neither Utopia nor Underworld but something in between, as he lifted his head from contemplating the pool and let his gray eyes take in the form of Nati before them. Where would her brand be? Had she concentrated her thoughts somewhere on her body where she hoped it would appear, or was she letting luck take its course? Dur remembered concentrating on nothing too specific with his – or maybe he had? He didn’t remember at this point, but he was quietly satisfied with where his own brand had appeared, easily visible on his shoulder.
The words stopped coming; the ritual was done. Dur looked eagerly over at Nati for his brand, the smile on his face widening as Cassian formally welcomed her back to the Vigilum. Welcome back, Nati. We are so pleased to have you with us again. His tones were warm, welcoming, but his thoughts had inadvertently turned darker. Now back at three, the Vigilum would be better equipped to handle whatever came at them, but would they be able to restore peace to the realm in the face of this war? Dur almost couldn’t imagine the scale of destruction that waited both mortal and immortal alike in the face of it. Would they be ready?
tagged// Indi Pippin
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Post by Indi on Sept 29, 2023 14:02:46 GMT -7
Despite being a veteran Vigilum member, with many years of experience to call upon, in truth the buckskin was not entirely certain what to expect when she dipped her lips to the water. This aspect of things was very different from any initiation she had been part of or overseen in all her years as a member of the Vigilum. The rivers and whatever it was that had led to them being revealed to the three groups of Wild Equines who had taken in recent years to calling upon supernatural abilities had happened after her time. As curious as she had always been about whatever had taken place, it had never seemed right to ask. At least, not while she was lacking membership in the group. Of course, now she had a better idea of the end result of what had happened, even if she did not know the exact details of how it all had happened just yet. Perhaps later she would satisfy her curiosity. For now, her attention was upon the experience itself. Did the water taste different? Better? Nati honestly was not sure. It could well have just seemed that way because of everything that was part of this moment.
Especially as words seemed to spill from Cassian and Duramus, in a language she could not grasp, yet felt right in some indefinable way. There was an equally indefinable sensation within that evaded exact description and yet, was not entirely alien either. There was a subtle difference. Perhaps because this had nothing to do with specifically requesting the power to perform healing or somesuch from an Afterlife entity, but was entirely independent of the Afterlife factions. That was a relief, not being required to depend on the whims of the Afterlife denizens. Instead, there was the freedom to tap into the power this ceremony had given her access to at will, whenever necessary. She suspected the same restrictions might well be in place as before -- though perhaps she ought to confirm that fact before jumping to conclusions one way or another -- but that, at least, was something she was familiar with. It was overdoing things, pushing herself past the aforementioned restrictions in terms of healing that had put her out of commission previously. Best not to repeat the same mistake twice if that could possibly be avoided. Of course, there were circumstances that required one to push beyond no matter the cost to oneself, but for the most part, one would hope that was not necessary.
Slowly lifting her head from the water, Nati released a quiet breath, blinking slowly for a moment before focusing on her companions even as Cassian was saying, "Welcome back into the Order of the Vigilum," followed by Dur's warm, "Welcome back, Nati. We are so pleased to have you with us again."
Smiling warmly in return, she dipped her head slightly as she answered them both, 'Thank you, I am honoured to have the opportunity to officially join the work once more as a member of the Vigilum.' Did it count as a return if she had never really left? At least, not in the sense of physically departing Mount Vigilum. Aside from brief forays for social reasons once she had recovered enough to manage such trips.
The buckskin femmora had not missed the way both Cassian and Dur had looked over her frame and for a moment was confused. At least until she recalled at the beginning of all this when mention of a brand had been made. It seemed odd that drinking some water would result in a brand appearing on her hide, but then... there was that subtle hum of power in her very bones that had come after drinking and so... obviously this was no ordinary water. She twisted her head slightly, trying to spot where the brand of the Vigilum might have appeared. A brief scan did not reveal it and, for the moment, she was not too worried about it.
With a quiet laugh at the fact that this ritual and all it entailed was all new to her despite her many years as a Vigilum, she queried, 'Now what?' Character;; Native Dancer Tagged;; Pippin w/Cassian Sunfrost w/Duramus Notes;; <3
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Post by Pippin on Oct 28, 2023 14:59:33 GMT -7
Cassian Slowly the strange feeling of the ritual faded away and Cassian was more sure of himself as Dur spoke to Nati. Welcome back, Nati. We are so pleased to have you with us again. Giving his own greeting and affirmation they where indeed glad to have her rejoin the Vigilum. Cassian was glad the burden would once more rest on three instead of just them two. Maybe with a little less work and stress things wouldn't seem so bleak. Maybe. Hopefully they where not to late and could stop this war before total destruction accrued. Nati looked down at her own pelt for moment and it seemed she did not yet know where the brand was. Could it take time to appear? His had shown right away. Or maybe it was just an hidden place. 'Thank you, I am honoured to have the opportunity to officially join the work once more as a member of the Vigilum.' She spoke as she looked and after a shot pause she looked back up, eyes flicking between Cassian and Dur before asking in an almost sheepish ton. 'Now what?'Cassian couldn't help but let out a full bodied laugh at the question. The laugh consumed him and it really felt good to laugh. A moment of joy in what had been feeling like a very bleak time indeed. Slowly the laugh faded and he smiled at Nati and then Dur. "Now we get to work." He said, the words serious in spite of the joy still glinting in her hazel eyes. "We have a war to try and bring to halt, and beyond that, winter will be knocking on our door sooner than we'd like and it's important we have a good store of supplies and herbs to last the season." He feared with so much afterlife power being tossed around that it would upset the natural weather patterns and they could be looking at one of the worst winters Wild Equines had yet to see. He looked over to Dur and then back to Nati "We can discus that on the way back to the mountain." While he lived with Casi in a herd in the light lands Mount Vigilum was like a second home to the spotted stallion. "It's time we go home." He smiled and took the lead walking down the path they had followed in, leaving the quite pool and the mysteries it held, behind. Tagged: Sunfrost Indi Muse: poorWords: 406Notes: I think we can end the thread here. Unless you each want to make one more post? Image by Fleur-De-Liason
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