[aliyaah]

The war was all that was on Avinash's mind these days. The severity of the conflict was only increasing, with tensions beginning to boil over. Those events that had been hosted in the initial months of the feud - celebrating Lord Cadence's return, King Hunroor's coronation, and most recently, Queen Boudicca's coronation... These celebratory times had begun to dwindle. No more were there festivities, and instead such interactions had been replaced with fighting. More and more battles were breaking out between the warring parties, with the damage extending far beyond just the individuals involved in the skirmishes. Avinash felt as though it was only a matter of time before territories started taking hits, possibly being caused irreparable damage. The young king feared for his territories, but he did not know what to do about the impending threat. The Neutral Kingdom had guardian angels, but their reach could only extend so far... That had been made abundantly clear to him when he had recently travelled to Eacarrah, and been met by none other than the dread lord himself, Lord Xerxes. A guardian might have been able to at least fend off Xerxes' ill intents until back up arrived, but that was only if they had already been present. Xerxes, had he wished, would have been able to cause Eacarrah immense damage before a guardian could have appeared to attempt to defend the domain. This thought was truly unnerving for Avinash. More than that, it made him feel hopeless. What was the point of it all, if mortals like him could not defend themselves against the likes of the Afterlife?

He had not yet told Boudicca about his conversation with Lord Xerxes. He did intend to pick her mind about it, to see if she had any thoughts about what they could do for such situations in the future - thank goodness Lord Xerxes hadn't chosen to cause the Neutral Kingdom any harm that day. But as well, King Avinash hoped to reach out to Meraki Woods' herd member known as Nelly. She was a long-standing member of the royal herd, and more recently, had stepped up to take the role of royal advisor. And now more than ever, he could use some advice. He was curious as to how her thoughts might differ from those others he often turned to when he needed aid - mostly, his elder sister Divine, who had been a queen herself before. But Nelly, who (as far as he was aware) had not been involved in a leadership position, and spent most of her time with the herd, might have a different point of view - and might be able to provide him with some insight he had overlooked. So, it was for this reason that he asked both Nelly and Queen Boudicca to meet with him that morn. He had travelled to the inner parts of the woods, positioning himself near the pond where Boudicca's coronation had been held. Then, bay tobiano skeleton poised beneath the early winter's sunlight, the sovereign waited patiently for his companions to arrive.

fleabittengray and ☽ caely ☾
Notes - As per your request Gray!
Words

[fleabittengray]

x

NELLY

made by remi of rilla go! and adoxography

Nervous wasn't quite the word she was use to describe how she was feeling that morning on her way to the pond, where Boudicca's Coronation had been. Nelly herself had not really been involved at the Coronation, she normally did not join them, preferring to remain more on the outskirts of the crowd, observing everything and everyone. She hoped that did not offend Avinash or the new Queen. It was simply how she learned most of the things she learned. Quiet observation. She never had been involved in any drama. Previously, under Lord Mortif's reign as Neutral King several years ago, she had been a healer for the herd and the Neutral Kingdom. This was, if she remembered correctly, before the Vigilum was formed and there weren't very many known healers in the realm. She'd never had to do much more than help with small injuries, maybe some upset stomachs and coughs as well, but she was glad she still had those skills - even if they were a bit rusty.

The morning was bright, and if you stood in the sun for a while, it was enough to warm you up. However, the air itself was chilled. Not bitterly freezing, but there was a bite to the air, cold enough that her breath misted in front of her muzzle with every exhale. She walked at a quick pace, both to be prompt in her arrival as well as to warm herself up before she got there and had to stand around talking. There was a sense of excitement within her, a smile on her face despite the war that she knew was more than likely going to be a topic of discussion. While she had no part in the war, personally, she knew that she was going to more than likely have to discuss it with her King and Queen. That was her role, as an advisor of sorts for the ruling pair. It was her job to help guide them, in whatever ways they needed. Nelly was confident that she had enough life experience to help navigate the difficult decisions that were sure to be made.

After a few minutes of brisk walking, the Frisian mare arrived near the lake, emerging through the tree line with a smile. She spotted young Avinash and whinnied as she began to walk over toward him. Her head dipped in greeting, brown eyes bright as she looked around, noticing that the Queen had not yet arrived. "Good morning, Avinash! I hope the day is treating you well so far?" she asked as she came to a halt, resting a hind hoof on its front tip, relaxed and at ease - at least for the moment, before the discussion started.


aliyaah w/ Avinash, ☽ caely ☾ w/ Boudicca
455 | Profile
Yay I am excited for this thread!
10 years 10 months, winter, morning, after thread with Native Dancer

[☽ caely ☾]

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you cannot possibly withstand this storm

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Paper thin nares flared as she fully expanded her lungs with the crisp morning air while she followed a familiar path within Meraki Woods. They were coming out of winter now, but still the icy chill gripped the air almost every morning, and some days still. She found herself longing for the heat of summer and the sensation of the burning sun as it made her skin heat to the point of nearly sizzling. She released the air from her lungs in a heavy sigh. Her breath wafted in the air for a moment but was cut away as she walked through them a second later. Her heavy sigh was not one of discontentment, rather it was one from her mind running circles in retrieving what she knew about war and trying to apply it now. It was such a different situation, but her knowledge and experience had to mean something, no? Perhaps it was all of the questions that Boudicca simply did not have the answer to. Luckily, she had been called for a meeting with Avinash, as well as a particular herd member. Nelly was the mares name. Boudicca did not remember the name or a face to the name from her coronation, but it was entirely possible that Nelly had not been in attendance. From what Boudicca gathered, Nelly was a royal advisor and had been a member of the neutral kingdom for a number of years. While slightly tiffed she had known of this valuable resource sooner, Boudicca’s curiosity for the reason the meeting had been called overshadowed all. Boudicca knew Avinash was stressed even with the idea of the war. All the possibilities likely standing in his mind beginning for a thought or two, it had to be taxing. Boudicca knew it was, just by the way the young king carried himself and his expression. To say it all troubled Avinash was likely an understatement, but just how much was the question. Boudicca hoped that her efforts to take some stress of daily actions and meetings off him had been felt. But for Avinash to call a meeting.. had something happened?[break][break]

Boudicca blinked her gemstone eyes as she breeched the edge of the clearing of which her coronation had been held. Just adjacent to her was the lake, and in the distance Boudicca could see the familiar sienna and alabaster form of her counterpart, as well as the sturdy form of a black equine. That must be Nelly, she reasoned with herself, as she closed the distance between herself and the pair. As she watched and the sun radiated upon her back she felt a shiver run over her skin and the warmth replace any kind of chill. Not that she was particularly chilly, she had quite a winter coat grown at this point. She wondered just how large it made her appear? Had she gained 20 lbs or 200 lbs with this wooly coat? The queen couldn’t bring herself to peer at herself in the reflection of the lake or any body of water, but the thought did cross her mind frequently. Her musings of how puffy and bulky she must have looked allowed her some reprieve from the pair who was probably staring at her at this point. She was late. It was not becoming to be late. Though, there was little she could do about it now. As she came within several yards of the two, she raised her dome. The golden chain and jewels glimmered here and there, where they were not covered by her dense winter coat, and her blue ribbons spun and twirled around her face as she offered a low nicker in greeting. A smile began to grow on her black and pink lips as she slowed her gait and halted a respectful distance from each of the other equines. Her dome turned slightly as she addressed Avinash, ”Avinash. It is good to see you.” Her gaze lingered for a moment as she tried to read Avinash’s face, maybe at a hint of what the conversation was to be about, but nothing seemed telling. The queen turned her head to the black mare and her smile widened, ”You must be Nelly.” She said in the warmest tone she could muster despite the rough sound of her voice. ”It is a pleasure I am sure.” She nodded to reinforce the meaning behind her statement before her head turned back to Avinash before she began to carefully shifted her gaze between the King and the royal advisor while she waited for the reason for the meeting.

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I am the Storm

B O U D I C C A

code by Ulla @ gangnam-style[break]
& artwork by Hartsdeath

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words;; [break]
timeline;; [break]
character;; Boudicca [break]
voice;; Boudicca's Voice [break]
tag;; aliyaah with Avinash, and fleabittengray with Nelly. [break]
notes;; Click for an idea of her accessories

[aliyaah]

Even though it was not his kingdom who was one of the main participants in the war, this had not meant that they were not involved. This did not mean that Avinash wasn't under an insurmountable amount of stress. It made him gain a greater respect for his family. His mother, father, and half-sister had all been hugely involved in the last war the Neutral Kingdom had participated in - that, of course, was back when his nation had faced off against the Helkaer brotherhood in warfare. His mother had been queen at the time, and according to the stories, it had been largely her decision to declare war against the Outlands, after the brotherhood had made countless questionable attacks against the neutrals. Kalila had believed, even though the kingdom may have not been ready to be at war, that she needed to stand up for them. That they needed to defend themselves, to show others they could not be pushed around. Unfortunately, the end result had not been good for them... But they had shown that their kingdom could not be targeted without consequence. It was being told such a tale in his youth that had guided Avinash to have so much focus on the defense of their monarchy when he had become ruler, something that was still a work in progress, and something that was easier said than done.

 "Good morning, Avinash! I hope the day is treating you well so far?" The friendly voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he brought his attention round upon the approaching Nelly. The Friesian whinnied as she approached, bowing her crania gracefully. He smiled warmly at the courteous greeting, feeling touched, as she drew up in a halt next to him. He could not refrain himself from responding, "Well, the woods aren't on fire yet, so that's something..." It was meant as a joke, truly, but moments after he released the words he wondered if they were inappropriately placed. As if now was not the time to be humorous about such things, considering the grave state of the world, and considering the fires the Neutral Kingdom had faced previously. Panic crossed his pale visage, and he quickly corrected himself. "I'm sorry, yes. Today has been fine."

Thankfully, Boudicca arrived before he could get himself in any further trouble. ”Avinash. It is good to see you.” She commented, as lovely as ever. He gave his queen a respectful bow of his own dial, and then responded to her fondly, "You as well, your majesty." It was then that the foreign lady turned her focus back to Meraki Woods' long-time member, commenting, ”You must be Nelly.” followed by, ”It is a pleasure I am sure.” He nodded, appreciative that the two women were getting the opportunity to meet. Not wishing for the entire encounter to be formal, but neither wanting to waste either of the ladies' precious time, Avinash got to the point. With his pale emerald chasms cast upon Nelly, he began to explain, "Nelly, I know you haven't been advisor long, but I find myself in search of some advice." He smiled at her, but this time, there was a slight strain in his lips owed to the stress he felt. "The severity of the war has only been intensifying, with more of its action finding its way into the Neutral Kingdom." It had only been a matter of time, really. "Recently, I even encountered Lord Xerxes perusing Eacarrah." He stated with a frown. As if Eacarrah needed more to worry about. Gavin, its herd leader, had faced enough hardships as it was. From having to take over the herd at a young age owed to the disappearance of his mother, to both his siblings vanishing as well, to Eacarrah being the target of a raid conducted by the Helkaer... Gavin did not need the Lord of the Underworld looking to cause the neutral mainland leader further trouble.


fleabittengray and ☽ caely ☾
Notes -  <3
Words

[fleabittengray]

x

NELLY

made by remi of rilla go! and adoxography

Nelly had almost always found herself in a role similar to the one she now held. First with Enapay, as a peace keeper in his herd, and then for Lord Mortif she'd been a healer. Her son had been sent off to train with Decay for the Fire Squad, and there he remained, living with Decay now in Dark Woods after famine and drought had struck their herd. Crow was doing well for himself and made frequent visits for Meraki Woods, when his training allowed it, and Nelly and Halona and Keshav did try to make trips to Dark Woods as well, or planned outings for the Free Lands with Crow. Sometimes his friends from the herd would tag along as well. Nelly never minded - the more the merrier, in her eyes! However, with the war, their Free Lands trips had come less frequently, as had visits between herds. As a warrior, Crow was busy. Decay wanted to make sure they were ready for anything. Nelly was aware that Decay had assisted Avinash with hunting down Hound, who had attacked a former Queen, Laqueta. It was such a shame. Laqueta, from what she knew, had been a kind soul. And no one deserved to be attacked like that, least of all someone without a mean bone in their body.

That being said, she wasn't going to claim to be perfect for her role as royal advisor - she did not believe in perfection - but she would agree that the role suited her. Patient and gentle, but having learned not to be a pushover, Nelly had learned how to process things before just reacting to them. She would rather think things through rather than act on impulse. Perhaps in her younger years she had been more impulsive, sure, but what young mare or stallion wasn't, at some point in their lives? So when Avinash blurted out a joke, "Well, the woods aren't on fire yet, so that's something...", she chuckled - both at the joke itself, as well as the look of panic that briefly crossed his face. "I'm sorry, yes. Today has been fine." She gave him a smile, hoping to calm his nerves, though did not speak as then the Queen was arriving.

Nelly's eyes followed her movements as she approached. She was a tough looking woman, seeming more warrior than Queen by appearances, but perhaps that was exactly what the Neutral Kingdom needed right now. ”Avinash. It is good to see you.” She spoke first to the King - that was to be expected, really - and then was turning to Nelly herself, who gave another one of her kind smiles at the Queen. ”You must be Nelly.” The Queen's voice was rough, but did not lack kindness. "Indeed, I am," came the Frisian's calm response, giving a polite dip of her head in pleasant greeting. ”It is a pleasure I am sure.” The Royal Advisor nodded, eying the Queen with curiosity. "It truly is a pleasure to finally meet with you both. I am sure we have much to talk about, given the current state of our world." And though there was a tinge of sadness to her words, how could there not be, there was no panic, no extreme rage or anger. She was calm, and would like to think she would remain calm throughout the meeting.

Again, Avinash was addressing her. "Nelly, I know you haven't been advisor long, but I find myself in search of some advice." She noted the strained look on his face, how the stress seemed to be weighing him down. "That's what I'm here for." It was a simple statement, meant to be soothing and encouraging. "The severity of the war has only been intensifying, with more of its action finding its way into the Neutral Kingdom." Her ears twitched, perking forward to listen to the King speak, listening to every word carefully. "Recently, I even encountered Lord Xerxes perusing Eacarrah." Eacarrah, a land that she had heard had been raided within the last year or so. By the Helkaer, nonetheless, who she was assuming were aligned with the Underworld in the war. They certainly would not be giving Utopia the time of day.

The slightest of frowns appeared on her lips, giving a thoughtful hum as she puzzled over the information. "Have you told any of the Utopians about your encounter? Or the lead of Eacarrah? Gavin, isn't it?" she questioned the King, trying to put all the pieces together. "It might be a good idea to have some extra eyes on Eacarrah for a while, if Xerxes seems interested in the land. How did the encounter go? What did the Lord of the Underworld have to say?" She wondered if Rasa and Cadence might be able to spare an angel or two to watch over the land more effectively. But first, she wanted more information on how Avinash's meeting with the Hellfire King had gone.


aliyaah w/ Avinash, ☽ caely ☾ w/ Boudicca
829 | Profile
notes
10 years 10 months, winter, morning, after thread with Native Dancer