[aliyaah]

Amaranthine Wars

This is a thread between Xovad (fleabittengray ) and Mictecacihuatl (Roman).

Prompt:

Xovad is resolute in his commitment to the Versai... Something that surely won't be taken kindly by Lady Mictecacihuatl. Will the elegant, unique Lady choose to get her hooves dirty against the son of the former High Priestess?

This thread can become a battle should you so choose.

Please ensure you have read the information regarding the plot here. At least three posts from each roleplayer are required for this thread for it to be considered as complete, however further posts are encouraged. Thread should be completed no later than February 2nd, 2024.

[Roman]

The war was picking up and so were some pretty interesting events, such as the Dark Royals faking the previous Light Royals deaths, only to bring out the living pair. This was something that delighted the Underworld's Lady, causing a squeal of excitement to escape her vocals as her wings beated against her sides. The theatrics were marvellous and Teca only grew fonder of Thomasin, even though doing nothing to help the Lights did not help towards Teca's plan to gently coax them to be on team Underworld, the witch could not help but show her support for a dear friend. Excitement aside, it was time to work on furthering the Underworld's grasp and weakening Utopia's, and Teca knew just where to start. It was no secret as to what happened between Xerxes and the Versai, and now the next generation has replaced the last two murderers, one of them Teca had met before at her coronation when the colt spat at their hooves.

The banshee squealed as she left the comfort of her hellfire home, stinking of sulphur, which she hoped to rectify at the crystal-like pools in the freelands. She could feel that the one she planned to seek out would be going there as well, call it intuition or the powers of her position, but either way, Teca looked forward to meeting with Xovad. The Underworld's lady wanted to see what makes him tick, other than Xerxes who seems to boil the Versai stallion's blood, and to see what drives him. Most importantly, Teca wanted to find out how he felt about his mother's involvement with Xerxes's slaughter, and why he still chooses to follow the side that hides behind a good-natured persona. At least what you saw from the Underworld is what you got, but Utopia, they are nothing but fakes hiding behind a pretty smile and a kind face.

Feathered appendages gently fluttered the delicate woman down to one of the more secluded pools, her dainty hooves stepping into the warm waters as she allowed the waters to wash over her form. While Mictecacihuatl intended to clean herself and attempt to wash some of the Underworld scent from herself, her presence here was for Xovad and she was certain that he wouldn't be able to resist approaching her, possibly to try and sway her or maybe even attack, but those were only two of the many possibilities.

"Speech"
Tagged: fleabittengray
Words: 402
Note: Well it's a start x)

[fleabittengray]

Does anybody else here feel like a freak
A million side-eyes following me

This war was proving to be very interesting. It was impossible to tell who was winning just yet, but Xovad had his hopes set on Utopia defeating the Underworld and showing them once and for all that they were not to be messed with. Xovad was sickened to see so much support for the Underworld, honestly, given what they stood for - chaos and violence. Utopia was more about peace and kindness, but they were not pushovers. At least, Rasa wasn't. She could only be pushed for so many years before she retaliated. Why was it that so few seemed to understand that? She wasn't some manipulative woman hellbent on turning everyone against each other... Xovad knew her well. She had always been kind, respectful, motherly. He saw her almost like a grandmother figure, someone he could turn to in times on difficulty. He trusted the Lady of Utopia, and she trusted him. He had been a Seer for her since he was just a year old, had been sent on a rescue mission to save Sephenia from Charm's brothel where she had been enslaved by the Ghosts. How could she be someone who wanted destruction when she worked so hard to save others?

Deep in thought, Xovad found himself wandering Crystal Pools. It wasn't incredibly busy today, though honestly, the Free Lands had less hustle and bustle since the war had started, but there was one figure that captured his attention right away. She was in the distance, but her image was unmistakable. Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Underworld, bathing herself in one of the warm pools. Immediately, his blood boiled but he tried not to let it get the best of him. He instead inhaled deeply, nose wrinkling as the Lady's scent wafted into his nasal passage. Expelling the air out of his lungs via a snort, Xovad then began his approached toward the mythical woman. His red eyes surveyed her carefully. He knew he was at a disadvantage, but why give up an opportunity to talk to the woman who was probably, at the moment, his greatest enemy?

"Good day for a bath?" he stated boldly, standing at the edge of the pool that she bathed in. He looked down at her. She was intricate and beautiful, but her being the ruler of Hell made her ugly in Xovad's eyes. He could not support her chaotic nature. Not when it may mean the death and destruction of so many Utopian allies.

[Tagged: Roman w/ Mictecacihuatl]
[Words: 413]
[Character: Xovad / Valfrid]
[Notes: Remember Teca would know him as Valfrid! <3 Also don't know how the thread with Nemesis is going to go so left that vague.]
[Timeline: 6 years, autumn, mid-day, second Act 2 thread (after Nemesis)]
"Speech"

[Roman]

A soft moan followed by a gentle hum escaped the elegant woman's throat as she succumbed to the waters soothing touch and its gentle warmth, a change from the place she lovingly called home. Feathers could be seen moving slowly beneath the surface of the water as Teca swirled the crystal blue liquid, watching as the dirt gently washed away. Delicate muscles relaxed as the red woman appeared to go limp, her limbs resting almost lifeless at the bottom of the pool, as she lay with her head resting on the edge, and the soft sands gently cradling her dished head. It was peaceful, a rare thing to find with their world facing such turmoil, yet this peace was only going to last for so long as Teca could feel her target approaching in the distance.

As the palomino and white beast closed the distance, Teca could feel his red eyes on her skin, causing her flesh to prickle with anticipation. She never had the pleasure of conversing with Valfrid alone, only seeing the brute once as he spat at their hooves and warned her that Xerxes would ruin her, almost as if threatening the Lady of the Underworld with the promise of a good time. The woman's eyes rolled for a moment as her body remembered Xerxes' touch upon her skin, the moments they shared in lust as they created the perfect little fiends; a desire that would never blossom into love as neither wished for such a thing from the other.

Mictecacihuatl removed the thoughts from her mind in time to see the stallion come to stand at the edge of the pool she bathed in, boldly stating that it was a good day for a bath. The Lady smiled sweetly at him despite her eyes glinting with devilish desire, motioning with the tip of her wing from him to the pool. "You're welcome to join me, the water is lovely," honeyed words cooed as she at first attempted to entice the brute to join her, seeing if he would welcome a chat with the Lady of the Underworld in her private pool. "I wish to indulge in some conversation, I promise not to bore you," she cooed once more, wondering if he would bite. Surely there was something Valfrid wished to ask her or even tell her, after all, she ruled beside someone he despised, would he not want to try and drive a wedge between Xerxes and her or even convince her that this war was all for nothing, heck she would even take him trying to goad her at this point for just a little fun.



"Speech"
Tagged: fleabittengray
Words: 441
Note: My apologies, I completely forgot that Xovad is his real name and the one that is secret x)
I hope this is ok, I feel like it's better than my last but I'm just so tired.

[fleabittengray]

Does anybody else here feel like a freak
A million side-eyes following me

His scarlet gaze focused down on the Lady of the Underworld submerged in the pool below. He dared not enter the pool with her and put himself at an even greater disadvantage than he already was. With Rasa, he could trust that she would not use her powers to make him do something he would not do himself. With Mictecacihuatl... that was unknown to him. He did not know her well at all, but being a leader of the Darkness he could only assume that she meant him harm. Even if she looked quite pretty, soaking in the water, the mid-day sun upon her. He could not allow himself to think of her as anything other than a deadly enemy. It was a shame, really. She could have done so much good in the world, had she only given herself the chance to be good, to not get wrapped up in bitterness and darkness. He knew it was all too easy to fall into that trap, but Xovad had fought hard to stay away from such things.

Teca smiled up at him, and Xovad returned the smile handsomely, feigning politeness. So long as she minded her manners, he would mind his. Perhaps this time, their meeting would not involve him spitting at her feet and uttering warnings and threats against her and Xerxes. The memory seemed so long ago now. Had he really not encountered her since? He had had more than enough of Xerxes in his life since then, for sure... "You're welcome to join me, the water is lovely," His eyes followed the movement of the tip of her wing, motioning for him to join her, but he politely shook his head. "Perhaps some other time." As if that time would ever come. But his tone was neutral and polite, more or less. Xovad had grown since their last meeting. Matured. He was a full Brother of the Versai now, their brand displayed neatly across his chest in white upon the otherwise golden hairs.

"I wish to indulge in some conversation, I promise not to bore you," He allowed a light chuckle to fall from his lips, carefully cocking a hind limb, resting his hoof upon its tip as he stared down at her - the epitome of casual and at ease, for the moment, at least. "You are anything but boring, Teca. I can assure you of that." And it was honest, his words. She was the Lady of the Underworld. It was not in her nature to be boring. "So, what shall we converse about, then?" And it was almost teasing, his question, and had they not known each other already, it could have been assumed that he was trying to befriend her - that was far from the truth, however. Xovad had little interest in calling the wicked woman his friend.

[Tagged: Roman w/ Mictecacihuatl]
[Words: 474]
[Character: Xovad / Valfrid]
[Notes: I am so intrigued to see how this goes!]
[Timeline: 6 years, autumn, mid-day, second Act 2 thread (after Nemesis)]
"Speech"

[Roman]

Completely relaxed within her pool, Teca felt she could lay here all-day, especially if she had the right company. Valfrid suited that to a degree, depending on how interesting he wished to be or if things took a drastic turn to where they would be at each other's throats, if he was going to be a bore then the Lady would rather him leave to allow someone more exciting to come along. Ruby optics watched as the Versai brute flashed a fake smile, handsome and polite but Teca knew it wasn't genuine, how could it be when they were considered enemies? While Valfrid had not committed any acts that would brand him an enemy, he was birthed from a woman who had committed an unspeakable act, one that Xerxes held a personal grudge against and Valfrid was sure to be a target due to his mother's wrongdoing.

Watching the gold and ivory stag intently as his muddied red pools followed the tip of her wing, Teca wondered if the golden child would give in to her beauty or keep her at a distance, however, that wonder was cut short as Valfrid politely shook his head and said, "Perhaps some other time." A lie, the blood and bone woman was sure of it, neither of them really cared for the presence of the other. Her next words prompted a light chuckle to vibrate within the stag's golden chest, cocking a hind limb casually as he appeared to settle in for a chat, "You are anything but boring, Teca. I can assure you of that." His words prompted a cheesy devilish grin to curve her delicate features as the woman chuckled, rolling till her limbs were now beneath her frame so she could get a better look at him.

Valfrid's next words were almost teasing, oddly playful for someone whom Teca was expecting to be dismissive or on the offence, considering her position and who she stood beside, "So, what shall we converse about, then?" Oh the things she could have plucked from his head to indulge herself with, yet it was always more fun to hear it come from her target first, to see and hear how past actions have affected them, seeing what makes them tick and finding out how truthful they had really been with her. Slowly Mictecacihuatl raised her curvaceous frame from the pool she once rested in, water droplets falling like shimmering crystals until they vanished as the woman joined the Versai on solid ground, yet surprisingly kept a respectable distance between them. "Indulge me, if you will, and I shall indulge you too," Teca started with, wondering if the young stag would bite and take part in this questions and answers session she was about to start, "You've been on my mind for some time after you said Xerxes would ruin me, despite my new title being Lady of the Underworld. What prompted such a warning?" Mictecacihuatl watched him with curious eyes, eager to find out his reasoning for what he said or if he might take advantage of this question during the war.


"Speech"
Tagged: fleabittengray
Words: 518
Note: Me too and sorry about the wait!

[fleabittengray]

Does anybody else here feel like a freak
A million side-eyes following me

He was still bruised and battered after his encounter with the Helkaer mare, but he was more or less feeling better. The injuries would probably be noticeable to the Lady of the Underworld. What would she think, he wondered? Would she question him about it? And, if she did, what was the best path to take, regarding his answer? Honestly, lying, or little hidden truths? He would decide when the time came, as he was sure it would. Teca, he assumed, was not the kind of gal that would resist questioning an enemy about some injuries. Especially an enemy as hated by the Underworld as himself. He was aligned with Utopia, was a Seer for Utopia, and his mother was the reason Xerxes as even dead in the first place. He could understand why he and Teca would hate him - even if it was an annoyance.

The hellfire woman grinned and chuckled as he commented about her not being boring and he allowed himself a small grin of his own. He knew the last time they had encountered each other, he had been less than civil. But he had been younger then. Hadn't been through as much as he'd been through now. He had grown since then, and had learned that sometimes a civil conversation was better than hostility toward an enemy. He took a polite step back as the winged woman began to rise from the pool, stepping up onto the earth. It wasn't so much a way to get away from her, more so just a polite way to give her space. She wasn't so much larger than him, standing just an inch or so taller, but still. He didn't want to cause any trouble, so he gave her space.

"Indulge me, if you will, and I shall indulge you too," Xovad quirked a brow at her, head cocked curiously as she continued. "You've been on my mind for some time after you said Xerxes would ruin me, despite my new title being Lady of the Underworld. What prompted such a warning?" Another chuckle, paired with a shrug, was given in response. "I was angry, mostly, but can you blame me?" he looked the Lady of the Underworld in the eye as he spoke. "Wouldn't you expect your own children to do the same, under similar circumstances?" There was no hostility in his words. He genuinely believed any child with a good relationship with their parent would want to defend them. "I can understand, of course, why Xerxes hates my mother, and by extension, myself. But why judge the child for the sins of the mother?" Another casual shrug, though his eyes never moved from Teca, his red gaze steady and observant.

[Tagged: Roman w/ Mictecacihuatl]
[Words: 454]
[Character: Xovad / Valfrid]
[Notes: Kept his injuries kinda vague atm since the battle with Nemesis isn't completely finished yet <3]
[Timeline: 6 years, autumn, mid-day, second Act 2 thread (after Nemesis)]
"Speech"

[fleabittengray]

Roman Bump!

[Roman]

Now standing on even ground with golden stallion, Teca was able to get a better look at how much Valfird had grown in body since their first meeting, almost the same height as herself and more muscular. The wounds that the Lady's ruby eyes could now see were evidence that those muscles had been put to the test recently, yet against whom, why and what was the outcome? Yet Teca had a feeling that despite having been through a recent battle, Valfird had more fighting to do in the future, given the current circumstances with the war and everything, another battle may be closer than the young Versai may anticipate. In his current state, his wounds may hinder him, which made the Underworld's Lady wonder if that may be why Valfrid was rather cautious and polite, knowing that his body may not last against a powerful being from the afterlife. Whatever the reason may be, it was interesting to see this calmer side of the Versai, even if it was more boring compared to the angry boy she first met at her coronation.

Setting the thoughts of his wounds aside, Mictecacihuatl watched the subtle movements of the brute's brow and head, she seemed to have his curiosity and attention which was good, she hated being ignored. Valfrid chuckled then as he shrugged, almost brushing off the childish behaviour that the lady asked about before answering her, maintaining eye contact. Anger had been his motive as he asked the Lady if she could blame him, and while she knew that anger was towards Xerxes, the newly appointed Lady had done nothing to earn such anger or to have saliva spat at her hooves. Valfrid then asked if she would expect her own children to act the same under similar circumstances, almost as if trying to excuse his lack of professionalism and class. The Versai then spoke of how he could understand why Xerxes hates his mother, yet the Lord had more than a good reason to hate Allocen considering she murdered him alongside her "sisters", yet to hate a son for his mothers doing, that she could agree with Valfrid as being unnecessary. Surely there was more to Xerxes's grudge to justify the hate toward his murderer's son?

As the younger equine finished, Teca shook her delicate dished head, causing the leaves that decorated her head to rustle as the feathers bent and swayed with the motion. "Your anger may have been justified toward Xerxes, yet I had done nothing to warrant such behaviour," the lady began, tones even and polite, "that day you appeared to have judged me for the actions of my ruling partner, just as he judges you for your mother's actions." Teca was unsure how Valfrid would react to being compared to Xerxes, given the hate the two had for each other, though it was how she saw it given Valfrids lack of poise during her special day. "To have my own children act as you did, no, I would not have expected them to act with such little class," another jab, one that the Versai may choose to believe or not, yet if he had truly matured since that day, maybe it might prompt some reflection on his part to recognise that nothing could excuse his actions that day, at least Teca did not think any excuse would suffice. However, not that Teca would voice it to give the Versai any ideas, if someone had harmed her as Xerxes did to Allocen, she would be delighted if her children took the throat of the bastard that dared harm her, as she would for them. To ease any tension that may have arisen, Teca answered what may have been a hypothetical question, "You may think this strange or even a lie from someone who rules the Underworld, yet I do not think it is right for a child to be judged by the sins of their parents or for a parent to be judged by the sins of their child, we are all our own complex beings with thoughts and feelings, and our actions are our own." It was simple to judge new souls this way considering that sinners are taken into the Underworld because of the sins they have committed, not because of the sins of their relatives, yet in wartime it was different, Teca preyed on all with the intention to find a sin to fit the new demon.


"Speech"
Tagged: fleabittengray
Words: 744
Note: Rambly, may make no sense/be confusing at the end, idk, but I hope it's ok!

[fleabittengray]

Does anybody else here feel like a freak
A million side-eyes following me

There was more to Xovad than being a Versai. There was his love for his family and his friends. His love for Nixi, which he hoped would outlast the war. He liked to think that he was a loving and caring individual, but one that still felt anger. Rage. But he was learning that there were no true winners in a war. He quite disliked the whole war thing, even more so after the Helkaer mare had bested him in their fight, but only just barely. They had both left the scene bloodied and bruised - but in the end, she'd won, placing a tax on Lyrarcor that he had yet to figure out how to pay. He did not want to put anyone in danger by sending them to the Helkaer lands, especially after discovering that the mare's name was Nemesis. He'd not connected the dots between her and Carmilla yet... He had no idea, despite the physical similarities of the two mares. But then again, he often saw Carmilla with her hair tangled, her pelt a bit dirty, and well... the two had such different personalities! He did not even remotely think that the two of them had anything to do with one another. It was just coincidence.

The Lady of the Underworld stood before him, dripping water. Even Xovad had to admit that she was a stunning creature, even if she was a ruler over a demon hoard. He thought of her as an enemy, but he wondered what he life had been like before her death. What had driven her to become a demon? To rule over the demons? What continued to drive her to stand beside Xerxes as his equal? How similar were the two of them? He could not imagine ever having this civil of a conversation with Xerxes. The closest he'd gotten to it was Dahlia's birth, where he'd restrained himself if only for his mother's sake. Provoking Xerxes while his mother was in such a vulnerable position would not have been a good idea in the slightest. He wondered idly if Xerxes would have harmed his mother or Dahlia if no one else had been there to witness the act. Was Xerxes cruel enough to harm an innocent newborn child? Xovad could not imagine himself doing anything wicked to a child. Not even, say, a demon child. Surely even a demonic entity could be innocent, just as as Cambion like his sister could be innocent...

Teca shook her head and Xovad's red eyes glanced up at the decorations that she wore upon her skull rustling and swaying. He had never understood why some wanted to dress themselves up like that. It seemed so unnatural to him. But then again, he supposed that horns and wings on a horse were also unnatural. Your anger may have been justified toward Xerxes, yet I had done nothing to warrant such behaviour, that day you appeared to have judged me for the actions of my ruling partner, just as he judges you for your mother's actions." Her tone was polite enough, to his surprise, and Xovad grinned sheepishly at her. "I apologize for the offense," he replied, his tone apologetic, as well as slightly amused. "You've made a valid point. I can't argue that." He wondered if she would be surprised at him agreeing with her.

"To have my own children act as you did, no, I would not have expected them to act with such little class," The Versai was quiet for a beat, ears twitching, before he found himself questioning her gently with, "How many children do you have?" He was curious about children himself, but didn't yet know if his time with Carmilla had brought forth a child. He didn't really think about it much. It was kind of embarrassing in a way, for some reason - probably because he had always dreamed (secretly) of his first time being with a woman being with Nixi. Not that she'd waited for him or anything. It wasn't something they'd ever talked about, either, so he supposed he shouldn't really feel guilty about it or anything, but, well... he sort of did.

The words of the Lady of Hell broke him free of his thoughts. "You may think this strange or even a lie from someone who rules the Underworld, yet I do not think it is right for a child to be judged by the sins of their parents or for a parent to be judged by the sins of their child, we are all our own complex beings with thoughts and feelings, and our actions are our own." Xovad hummed, thoughtful and contemplative, curious as well. "Would you damn someone to the Underworld, even if they were not wicked or cruel in their mortal lives?" He figured she would, and if she said otherwise... perhaps she would be lying. "What would be the point of that, other than just to torture someone? Is that what Hell is like... torture and chaos?"

[Tagged: Roman w/ Mictecacihuatl]
[Words: 835]
[Character: Xovad / Valfrid]
[Notes: This thread is actually hella interesting <-<]
[Timeline: 6 years, autumn, mid-day, second Act 2 thread (after Nemesis)]

Injuries:
- Bite to the right side of his throat/neck area. This has healed completely.
- Bite above his right eye, the eye is slightly swollen but the gash is scabbed over and healing.
- Small gash on his chest above his Versai brand that bruised.
"Speech"