[Pippin]

Stolen. The word was so foreign to the young stallion. Yet even so sent a shiver of unease though his body. The optimistic part of him wanted to believe that this Harlan just wanted to meet someone from an old Helkaer bloodline. But Nyko had been very clear on his path in life. He loved his father dearly but did not want to follow the bloody path into darkness and madness that his father had tread. It was no secret he had made a bid for the light throne and when that failed put his name forth to join this Knights Order the new king was creating. So maybe this Harlan was just curious as what would lead someone with such a bloodline to split away from his family legacy? But if that was the case she could have just come for a visit? Even horses of the darker side of life would abide by simple social rules of respect. Right? He had to believe that. So what then was this about? He could not think of any logical reason. 

Even though he could not understand the reasoning behind her motives he did not put up a fight when the horse she had sent to collect him appeared within his home. Maybe it was curiosity on his own part that made him so calm about the whole situation. He had not been on Helkaer land since he was a young colt, from the time before his father had been taken by the Versai and then they had gone away to find help for him. He remembered it was hot and dry, laying on the edge of a deadly desert. The land was harsh and unforgiving of mistakes. It was early in the day still but even so sweat lay thick upon his coat as they finely neared the far side of the expanse of wasteland. The sandy ground began to turn rocky and the land of Sinheim came into view. His escort left him them, speaking for the first time since collecting him, demanding he stay and wait right here.  

He settled in to wait, gazing out at the desolate rocky outcrop. Nyko could not imagine living in such a harsh world. He liked his home, Black Rose Ravine was beautiful and safe. It made him a little sad knowing that if he stayed on the path he was following right now it would lead him away from his home. Not that there was anything wrong with Rain Forest Beach, it just wasn't the same as his home. Shaking his head Nyko tried to push the thoughts from his mind, thinking about home and possibly leaving it was a silly thing to be dwelling on right now. He needed to be focused and ready for whatever this meeting was about to bring. He was hopeful it would all turn out okay, but some recent encounters told him to be ready for anything.




Tagged: ¿illɘgal¡¿
Muse: Good
Words: 492
Notes: One stolen boy for Harlan!        

[¿illɘgal¡¿]

There was something satisfying about successfully outsmarting another lead and taking one of their people, especially one that truly belonged in the Helkaer lands. The wraith was interested in meeting the Helkaer child who was now a Light hiding in the Neutral kingdom, and what better way than to simply have him brought to her. While she had never met the lady of Black Rose Ravine, she assumed that Cirilla wouldn’t appreciate a Helkaer stalking through her lands. No, this was much more fun. She had woken early on a typical warm, windy summer morning. Summoning a guard, the private carefully described the tall, smokey black stallion with peculiar markings that was to be brought to her. Unharmed. For now. The brute asked no questions, dodged the snapping twins, and set off towards the neutral kingdom.

Before rising from the tunnels dug deep beneath the treacherous domain, she had taken her time to soak off the dust that had settled onto her pelt. Harlan wanted to greet her "guest" with her best hoof forward, after all. She didn't know if he would be afraid, curious, angry, but Nyko wouldn't be able to say that the private was a bad host. She shooed the predatory children deeper into the caves before she made her way to the surface, a smirk pulling at the wraith's lips as she stood in the breeze and waited. Despite the relatively early meeting time, the heat was already seeping into the day, thick and unyielding. The vixen had already adjusted to the warmth of Sinheim and actually enjoyed the harsh weather.

Two figures came from the desert and made their way further into her land. One remained behind while the guard worked his way towards the wraith, quietly informing her that Nyko had been delivered. The mare nodded but said nothing, and didn't waste time to meet her guest. Harlan let out a whinny as she approached, taking in his much larger stature with a faint smile on her face. Even with his young features, did the beast know how imposing he could be? Even though he was sweating and dusty, he actually looked like he belonged her. The child just didn't know it yet. She settled close to the stallion, magenta eyes turning to ice blue ones. Welcome to Sinheim, Nyko. I am Harlan, as I'm sure you have guessed. I'm sure you have many questions for me, but I have several for you first, youngling, her light tone had a hint of curiosity to it. To start - what is a child of Helkaer doing in a kingdom he doesn't belong in? Why aren't you in the Outlands where you belong?

TAG Pippin
WORDS 450 ish
TIMELINE Summer, after meeting Thomasin
I'm definitely excited for this!

[Pippin]

He had only been left to stand alone for a few moments when the mare appeared from the direction his escort had vanished in. Nyko watched her approach, head tilted slightly in curiosity. She walked with confidence, and had a silent area of danger about her her. This should have alarmed the young stallion, but as always he had left his common sense somewhere behind him. As she neared he saw the smile upon her muzzle and smiled back as she whinnied a greeting. He returned the greeting with a whinny of his own. So far nothing about her made him think this meeting would be anything but a polite conversation. She came to a stop before him. Here he shifted a little in discomfort. Was she standing closer than was strictly necessary for a normal conversation? 

His discomfort however was forgotten as his attention was drawn to her eyes. As the melted from one color to another. He had met another, just recently whos eyes had done the same. He had gone as his whole short life believing he had been unique in this trait, only to keep running into others as himself. Her voice drew him away from this though as words filled the space between them Welcome to Sinheim, Nyko. I am Harlan, as I'm sure you have guessed. I'm sure you have many questions for me, but I have several for you first, youngling, There was nothing in her tone that was overtly threating, it was light with a hint of curiosity. She continued speaking, To start - what is a child of Helkaer doing in a kingdom he doesn't belong in? Why aren't you in the Outlands where you belong?

Unease caused his bright blue eyes to swirl with a shot of yellow. Well that wasn't a loaded question at all, he thought as he wondered how on earth he was supposed to answer. "Hello Harlan, it's nice to meet you." He said, his tone calm but his mind in chaos. "I... don't think I belong here." He decided to began with, stumbling over the words. He was nothing like his father or some of his half siblings, like one who had recently vied for the position Harlan now held. "I saw the hurt and pain my fathers life brought upon himself, I don't want that." That was probably the most simple truth to his desire to forge his own path. "Why do you care what path I've chosen to walk?" He didn't know her, how did his life affect her? 




Tagged: ¿illɘgal¡¿
Muse: Good
Words: 425
Notes: I have a bad feeling this is going to go poorly for Nyko.    

[¿illɘgal¡¿]

Watching the stallion's signs of discomfort made the wraith want to laugh, mild satisfaction rolling through her. Was he uncomfortable because he was this close to a Helkaer, or for some other reason? As she spoke, his icy depths became mixed with yellow, which snagged her attention. Was it a reflection of how he was feeling? Did that happen often? Her curiosity about his eyes dissipated as Nyko began to answer her multi-layered questions. Hello Harlan, it's nice to meet you. I... don't think I belong here. So polite, so uncomfortable. What had they been teaching him over in the Neutral kingdom? Not any tact or sense, that's for sure. He was so different from his sister that had tried to rise in the Helkaer ranks, and yet Harlan could see the potential. The young beast just didn't know it yet.

The private waited for him to continue, hoping her relatively neutral expression came across as encouraging. I saw the hurt and pain my fathers life brought upon himself, I don't want that. Why do you care what path I've chosen to walk? The only kind of hurt and pain that Vulcan should have seen was the kind he was inflicting on others. While Harlan had only been told snippets from his older half-sister, Ygritte, she intended to hear the story from Nyko's lips. Sure, the two had different mothers and that could explain the different paths they took. But that didn't mean that the sabino belonged anywhere but in the Outlands. It came down to Harlan convincing him that this was where he belonged.

I appreciate your honesty, she lied smoothly. There was a time and place for honestly, and she didn't care for his childish denial towards his bloodline. I care because the Brotherhood has changed since Vulcan was here. To be quite frank, it doesn't matter if you do or do not believe you belong here. Because you do. Magenta eyes slowly hardened, and she fought to keep her body language relaxed. It would do her no good to come across as aggressive just yet. I want to give you a chance to live up to your true potential and the blood that runs through your veins, her tone remained conversational as she watched his eyes for another color shift. Perhaps they would betray the feelings that he may try to hide. What do you think you know about the Helkaer, youngling? What do you truly want for yourself in life? What things do you think the Brotherhood can't provide for you? Her questions were genuine this time, wanting to pick that little brain and be able to twist his beliefs to fit her needs.

TAG Pippin
WORDS 400+
TIMELINE Summer, after meeting Thomasin
Harlan's patience is going to run out soon xD