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Post by Ursarius on Oct 15, 2013 15:15:49 GMT -6
It had been a long trip, and Wildgard was in view now. Treading across the Fenbog Swamp was always the most difficult part of the Trip between Ursus Dauntamontis and the City of Wildgard Especially in Human form. The Swamp that took her eyesight the first time she had ever arrived in the region, and the very place she met Billy for the first time. She looked over her shoulder, as the Bears Dropped their gear along the forests edge. Billy set himself down with his back against a tree, and tried to work out the kinks in his neck from carrying the bundle of weapons. Her sons Swarmed him and began to complain about food. Ursa's Brothers dropped supplies and stretched as well. The Scout came over and placed a large paw on Ursa's shoulder. "We have your Armors ready for you, repaired and upgraded." He said, nodding to her. "I'm going to take the path in the forest to Scout on Ahead." "Be careful." She said, giving him a weak smile. She watched him leave and looked back at her Husband and Cubs. She waved as they looked up. 'This is it.' She thought, 'Any farther and I'm likely to never see them again.' She wondered silently why she couldn't just turn around and go home, to live out her life as Queen on the Mountain. She shook her head and followed the treeline toward Wildgard, finding a tree to rest at, she lowered herself down carefully, She took a deep steadying breath and Shifted in an Instant. Letting her Bear senses wash over her. She could hear the wind whistling through the trees, the forest animal discussions became more clear to her. Opening her eyes she scanned the Lomash plains, squinting through the light fog that was gathering now. 'This may be a problem, a Storm is coming...' She could smell it. Soon it would be Dark and the Bears would get one Good night of rest before they declared War on the City of Wildgard... the City she had grown so fond of, upon people she had grown to love. Her brow furrowed at the thought of it. 'Friends' She scoffed. Ears curling backward. 'I was denied all my efforts to save this town, and these people, they denied a Hero and betrayed me. Took all that was mine save my sorrows. I have no love to give them now.' Even the Elf had disappeared on her. The Last war she fought in, some of her closest Friends stood apposed to her. Now everyone was on the wrong side...
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Fallaryn
Apprentice Roleplayer
Regent, Guildmaster of Archers
Posts: 79
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Post by Fallaryn on Oct 15, 2013 16:11:24 GMT -6
Stepping carefully among the trees of the forest, the elf softly whistled the song of the white-throated sparrow. The day was coming to an end, but Fallaryn would not be resting; the outbreak of undead had robbed her of sleep. It had been a long time since she had last been infected, and recovery was not easy for her. Most of all she feared the nightmares that would haunt her in her dreams.
Her thoughts wandered to the words she heard in her state of death. There was no mistake that it was Balthezar's voice. Mention of D, Zell being Halizar's dog, and Thistle. Why would the warlord mention Thistle? Indeed, Thistle was getting more involved with the demons than ever. Last Fallaryn saw of Thistle, he was with Starfire and demanded the elf to hand over D's channel.
Then the angelic figure - that woman. Who was she? Why was she in Wildgard? The stranger's words pierced Fallaryn. "Where are the landkeepers? The elves. There's no one here to keep the land, it's tainted and corrupted and everything is dying." Indeed, where was Fallaryn? She - Fallaryn - was failing in her duty. It bothered her enough to speak to Sylver of her past so that he would not make the same mistakes she did.
She had to get away from it all. Not for long. Just long enough to give her the chance to recover, and perhaps find another way to do what must be done.
Before she were to leave though, she needed to see someone.
The elf stopped near the edge of the forest, ending the sparrow song. And there sat the figure she wished to see, leaning against a tree.
The bear.
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Post by Ursarius on Oct 15, 2013 17:12:12 GMT -6
Musical inspiration: soundcloud.com/danielle-mitchell-76/petals-of-wisdomThe Bear sat and pondered the deeper questions, the corners of her mouth downturned. 'Is this it? I go out in a blaze of glory, and for what? People who hardly know who you are? They don't know who you are, Ursarius.' She told herself 'Why rush upon upheld blade to prove a point to those so blind and stubborn to see.. what a grave error it is to let... someone like Ursarius Die.' Her brow furrowed and her heart continued to sink. 'Again, because they don't know you. No one understands. It has always been this way... so Clouded, so Misunderstood.' She sighed, frustrated. Almost completely drowned in her thoughts. Until the distant sound of a common songbird caught her attention, sifting it's way into her ears. she smirked, staring down at her Paws. Sparrow's always reminded her of Fallaryn somehow. The Little Elf that had saved her life from the whiles of drinking away her sorrows last winter. She raised her eyes and dully peered across the gathering fog, An image of the Elf appeared there, and it took a long while for Ursa to realize it wasn't a figment of her imagination.
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Fallaryn
Apprentice Roleplayer
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Posts: 79
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Post by Fallaryn on Oct 15, 2013 23:31:00 GMT -6
Taking in the scene of those present, the elf approached the one whom she had met in that same spot nearly a year ago. As she stepped closer she could see that the bear was not content. Even though she was not a Kinto, Fallaryn had been around Kintu for most of her life and was able to discern what their varied faces expressed.
Such visible discontent further fuelled her curiosity as to why the bear and her family was there. Wildgard was becoming increasingly dangerous, and Fallaryn could sense that the trees in the area were worried, just as Sylver had said. She did not want the bears there, especially Ursarius--
No, she thought, eyes downcast and brow infinitesimally furrowed as she stopped in front of Ursarius. Don't think of her like that. It had been so long since she thought that way of someone, and the thought scared her. She could only have allies and nothing more. Fallaryn looked back up at the bear.
"What troubles you, Ursarius?"
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Post by Ursarius on Oct 16, 2013 0:22:27 GMT -6
The Bear was taken aback when the Vision spoke. "Fallaryn." She said, as if to acknowledge she was real. "...Fancy meeting you here." She tried to smile as if it was ironically funny, but really it was just sad. "Its not safe you know. Here." Ursa found it was hard to look the elf in the face, the Guilt was building up inside of her now. She couldn't rightly look at anyone these days. If she couldn't bare to look at her Family, Her Husband or her sons, what would make friends any different? Ursa took a deep breath and sighed, the Smell of the rain was stronger now... carried on the cool wind. It never occurred to her that fog had a scent. Suppose you never stop learning, even when the world was about to end. Ursa shrugged, "What Troubles me?" She smirked, "You asked me the same thing here, a year ago, didn't you?" She couldn't accurately remember anymore, so many things had happened, both good and bad. "I'd like to say, Wow, how things change... but they don't. Different things happen... but do things Really Change?" The sound of thunder rumbled above them and lightning danced in dark clouds somewhere far from the city. The Bears ears were flat against her head now, eyebrows furred in a strangely expressive way even for a Bear.
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Fallaryn
Apprentice Roleplayer
Regent, Guildmaster of Archers
Posts: 79
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Post by Fallaryn on Oct 16, 2013 1:17:21 GMT -6
Nodding, the elf looked around at the bear's family. "Very unsafe," she said. Something seemed different with the bear, and she wondered what it was. Returning her gaze to Ursarius, Fallaryn saw what she did not see before, clear in the eyes. The bear was stronger, but she could also see a hint of guilt. She considered the other's words; how the elf had asked a similar question a year ago - she nodded in response.
Fallaryn knelt on the ground and picked up a leaf, twirling it slowly in her left hand. She inspected it, as though the leaf held secrets. The elf paused at the rumble of thunder and looked up to see the bear's expression.
"Things do change, Ursarius. Big and small," she paused. "For one, D was killed. She seems to be human now." Fallaryn still felt uneasy over her role in D's fate, though it was not entirely against her goals.
"Now," she said. "What brings you here at this dangerous time? Are you aware of the unrest in Wildgard?" Try as she might, Fallaryn could not keep all of the concern out of her voice.
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Post by Ursarius on Oct 16, 2013 11:27:49 GMT -6
Ursa questioned change, also peering at the leaf curiously, she had done well to avoid eye contact with Fallaryn until the Mention of her greatest fear. Her Archenemy was...dead? Her eyes sparked like the lightning in her dark ebony eyes, fixing them on the Little Elf at last. Her chest began to rise and fall, blood churning in her veins. Nostrils flaring, she squared her jaw. Ursa didn't know what to say, 'Dead? no HUMAN?!' It couldn't be, She fought Destael time and time again, she was too powerful to die. If it wasn't for the Power in Billy the Barbarian's swings, she was not to be harmed at all. The Bear's mind was racing, 'Was it the Channel? did someone finally rob her of it to deal the Final blow?' Ursa was very unsettled now, What did this mean for her Plan? Her entire attack was nearly thwarted at this point. 'It took too long to go to the Mountain and back... I should have stayed put.'
The rage within her was building , it was almost too much to Bare. "where is she now? Destael, what is she doing? The Other Demons, Where are they now?"
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Fallaryn
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Post by Fallaryn on Oct 16, 2013 19:21:41 GMT -6
Seeing the bear's increasing anger did not ease Fallaryn's guilt - in fact, it was worsened. Unable to bear the piercing gaze, she looked down at the leaf once more. She knew Ursarius hated D, though perhaps the bear wanted the demon killed in her own way. The image of D passing her channel to Balthezar overtook her mind's eye for a moment. Synaria killing D. Fallaryn's role - inaction. As always. So long as the wind blows...
Allowing herself to feel the bear's rage, the elf could not help but become amused internally. Such a bear. She knew it was best to answer Ursarius's questions. She was not afraid, but she was not a fool to the wrath of a bear.
"The other demons have, for the most part, retreated back to their plane. Some still linger," she paused to allow the words to sink in. "As for D, last I knew she was still in Wildgard, no doubt grappling with her new... human... self. I imagine that human emotions are a challenge for the former demon."
The elf paused again, wondering if she should say more. Of Balthezar. Of Starfire. Much as she disliked it, Fallaryn knew it was best for the bear to learn through someone she could trust. But did the bear trust the elf? Her lips pressed together and her left brow furrowed as she went deep into thought. Throughout the year Fallaryn had been on the opposing side of the bear, without meaning to. Don't make friends... Even after all this time, the rule still pained her, and for good reason. Nevertheless, Fallaryn needed to know...
"Ursarius..." she began, uncertain if she should continue. "Do you--" (Her voice became quieter as she continued.) "-- trust... me?" I need to know... She glanced up at the bear but quickly returned her gaze to the leaf, unable to bear witnessing the other's reaction.
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Post by Ursarius on Oct 16, 2013 21:22:21 GMT -6
"This.. this is impossible. What happened? What did I miss?" her anger slipped away to fear, and then disappointment. The bear rose to her feet, she needed to pace. Her mind was racing, filled with all the times she'd tried to be a Hero. Now, when she'd finally gotten her chance to prove herself, to prove her might, her will, her purity. It was stolen from her. Slow realization crept across her face. Wildgard Didn't need her to come barreling in to safe them. Such a fool. She cursed herself. 'Why did I even come back? everything I've ever had is gone. My purpose is Gone.' She let the emptiness fill her as Fallaryn Paused.
She looked up as the Little elf shrank before her, Ursarius had always towered over the Wildgardians, That was half of the Joy she recalled. It gave her a chance to forget that she was the Runt, the smallest, weakest Ursanid on the Mountain. That she was young, and frail. Being in Wildgard, she was tall, and powerful, people respected her. Looked up to her. People needed her strength. She vowed to protect them. But she couldn't have gotten this far without help. 'Ursarius, Do you trust me?' Fallaryn's voice struck a cord and brought a tear to her dark eyes. "Do I trust you... Of course I trust you. You're my friend..." She raised a paw and placed it over her own heart, almost insulted that the Elf would ask something so evidently Obvious to the Bear. "Why... What's wrong?" Ursa had been too caught up in her moral dilemma that she failed to realize something terribly bothersome Stirring within the Elf. Watching her expression the anger that built up in Ursa melted into a sickly twinge of sorrow.
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Fallaryn
Apprentice Roleplayer
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Post by Fallaryn on Oct 16, 2013 22:34:02 GMT -6
Taking in the bear's words, the elf remained still and silent. She mouthed one word that Ursarius said: friend. Even without saying it herself, it felt true. That only made her feel worse. She couldn't have a friend. Never again.
The elf pushed the thought aside temporarily to address the bear's questions.
"It is possible... because of a mistake I made," Fallaryn began slowly. "I could have prevented D's death. I misunderstood the situation. I--" she stopped, her thoughts jumbling together and preventing her from going into further detail. "... I failed." Like always.
She had to continue. Ursarius... she trusted her. The elf took a mental hold of that trust like a lifeline. As though it was all that would keep her from falling apart right then and there.
"Balthezar will come back. He has to." Her speech was increasing in speed. "I know his name - his true name. I'm probably the last living being to know aside from himself. I'm more of a threat to him than anyone else right now, and he knows that." Fallaryn dropped the leaf, too weak and cold in the hands to hold anything. "... And Starfire..."
"Ursarius," she shut her eyes. "Starfire... is now part demon." In her mind's eye she saw Starfire... with horns. Failed again.
Fallaryn could not contain her guilt. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, her voice cracking. Her eyes were burning. No... "I'm sorry, Ursarius. I feel..." she considered which word fit best. "I feel... helpless. Like a bird without wings."
Looking up in the tree, she hoped to see the owl there, like when she and the bear had met in that very spot. Her reassurance.
It wasn't there.
No...
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Post by Ursarius on Oct 16, 2013 23:19:59 GMT -6
Ursa stopped and turned to Fallaryn, breath caught in her throat. Threatening to choke her into non-existence. She opened her mouth to speak a few times before she spat "Failed? FAILED?!" she sputtered, "How could you Possibly- Destael was a DEMON!, Foul!, Maddening!-" It hurt to shout, so she dropped the Sentence mid-rant and choked back her tears '...but I didn't want her to die.' Throat burning, she swallowed a hard lump of emotion as Fal went on. She looked up at the Sky, and the rolling black clouds, trying to keep the tears from escaping her eyelids. The Elf rambled on about Balthezar and something about his true name. And then it hit her. The Sound of Starfire's name.
"Starfire?" the Bear sat, too weak to stand. "...D-de..mon...?" She couldn't breathe, her heart was falling apart, her composure out the window, there was no part of her left with strength. "No." Seizing up every part of her burned. "No Please no." The tears fell like water from a tilted goblet. A Chalice of her emotions gone to waste on the tained grounds of Wildgard. "Sorry? You're ...sorry?" She gritted her teeth, the pain in her chest to too difficult to endure. "Starfire, She, ugh..." She began to cry harder now, mouth twisted in agony it was hard to form words. "She can't be ...She means everything to me." Ursa looked down at her open paws, tears exploding upon the leathery pads of her hands like tiny meteors. "Helpless." She echoed. "Yes, Very much so." She wiped her paws on the cool ground, claws lightly dragging on the ground. Even now she couldn't bring herself to harm the Earth in front of Fallaryn, In the Short time she'd known the elf, it was one of the Greatest respects for her. She was always compelled to pay her respect, as was rightly deserved by someone of her wisdom and age. She she ran the yellowed-grass through her paws instead.
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Fallaryn
Apprentice Roleplayer
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Post by Fallaryn on Oct 17, 2013 0:08:52 GMT -6
The bear's reactions did not help the elf to hold herself together. It was not until Ursarius was crying in earnest that Fallaryn understood. It was not worth fighting the truth. History was bound to repeat itself one way or another, sooner or later. There was no use denying it.
Quietly, the elf moved closer, carefully stepping forward while still crouched. When she was near enough she laid a hand on one of the bear's paws. Fallaryn could feel the cold ebbing away from herself as she felt the warmth through the fur. It was not until then that the elf realized there was a knot in her chest, though it seemed to be easing up with her growing sense of purpose.
Perhaps it was time to finally tell Ursarius what Fallaryn had been hiding the entire time she had known the bear. The thought of it gave her strength enough to speak.
"I knew a bear. A long time ago, when I was a youngling. Originally she was just a schooling partner and a bit of a personal guardian. But she became my first friend... my best friend. We had great times together, she and I. One time we stole a squirrel's nuts. He pelted us with pine cones."
The elf smiled slightly at the distant memory, then continued.
"The fun didn't last forever. One night, there was an attack. We hid in a bush. A fireball hit our hiding spot, but before the fire got to me, I was blasted into the air at some distance. When I landed, I was knocked out.
"I awoke the next day, and I realized... she was the one who saved me. Because of that, she didn't have time to save herself."
Fallaryn looked into the bear's eyes.
"The greatest of bears do the greatest of things, no matter the cost." She let the words sink in.
"You're the only one who can do it. Now... will you?"
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Post by Ursarius on Oct 17, 2013 0:22:47 GMT -6
In the Most Inopportune time, Markkus appeared at the edge of the Forest. "My Queen! Are you alright?!" He rushed to her side with a Bundle beneath one arm. Glancing accusingly at Fallaryn but not paying her mind as a threat. "What's going on here?" He demanded. Ursa shhok her head, mind reeling on information overload. She cleared her throat. Eyes on fallaryn she spoke to her Brother. "Markkus, please. No, Everything is alright, This is a ...Friend of mine." He took another, more tentative look at the Elf and nodded. "I Apologize" he grumbled. "I came running when I heard your cries." Ursa dried her eyes and looked to him for a moment, but her gaze kept being drawn to Fallaryn. "What's this?" She asked, timidly taking the Bundle. "Your Garb." He said, passing it over and bowing his head. "Please take care, in Times of War we can never be too cautious." And with that he turned his tail and rejoined the others. Ursa's breathing was shallow and only now did she feel the embarrassment of Loosing the tears in front of Fal. "I'm Sorry, That was My Brother, And Personal Guard. He served my Fathers." She wiped her eyes again. Plucking a Leather band from the bundle and slipping it on her head. It didn't resemble a crown of any sort, but the stitching looked quite regal. Full of runes. Every few seconds she looked into fallaryn's eyes and darted away again.
"How is it you've never told me this before? I've known you well over a year now. And you've helped me through so much..."
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Fallaryn
Apprentice Roleplayer
Regent, Guildmaster of Archers
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Post by Fallaryn on Oct 17, 2013 1:13:42 GMT -6
The unknown bear's appearance did not startle the elf, though his appearance was unexpected. What with all that was going on between herself and Ursarius, she was not paying as much attention to her surroundings as she normally would. Indeed, she still felt uneasy, what with her lingering guilt and fear.
The word had been said for a second time. Friend.
The elf nodded respectfully at Markkus, then watched as Ursarius pulled out the band of leather from the bundle and put it on. She could discern the runes on it, and what they spelled out - Strength, Weakness, Duty, Destiny. It was then that she realized that Ursarius was now queen of the mountain bears.
Considering the bear's question, Fallaryn wondered how best to address it. "Well... generally... I only reveal what needs to be known," she said. Meanwhile, those last words...
"Yes, I have helped you. But there's only so much I can do. The little things. The nudges here and there. The helping hand to pull you up when you're down. Perhaps a story to tell you the impossible is possible. Beyond that, it is up to you. As you are now queen, I'm certain you are aware of that." She read the runes again. "You are making your ancestors proud."
Fallaryn placed her hand on Ursarius's shoulder, staring into the bear's face with kind eyes. "I believe in you."
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Post by Ursarius on Oct 17, 2013 1:35:46 GMT -6
Ursa shuffled through her new belongings and shot a quizzical glance at Fallaryn, "Little things?" she scoffed, implying that it was not little at all. She remembered all the times Fallaryn had shown up at precisely the right time. 'I owe you alot, fal.' She smiled weakly. 'You were there when I was Lost, when I needed someone to set me on the path again, when the people I loved deserted me, You were there when I lost the will to fight, put it back in my paws. You were there in the forest when I couldn't face the light of the sun, when my shame was too much to bear. You looked out for my Wayward daughter when I couldn't. And Likewise of Starfire... You were there when I faced off against Destael, and again when I faced off against the Elves of the Stronghold. Willing to draw me aside and call me an Ally when we fought on opposite sides, to reassure me. You were there when Sylver gave up on seeing me through on his plans, when he deemed The Great Bear as a lost cause. When the Titans claimed Wildgard, who was there to send me her Arrows in place of mine lost in the Crevasse of the River Ann. Who Always knew where to find me when I was running out of answers, and needed a direction. When I doubted my resolve...'
The Bear's heart overwhelmed, fluttered when She spoke of making her Elders Proud. 'No, You don't understand...' She shook her head. gaze falling again. "I'm glad to have gotten a chance to talk to you again, Fallaryn, Still wearing the belt favor I made for you..." She sighed. "Seeing you one last time... it's very fulfilling. Thank You... But, you're not Helpless. You're Helpful. And you, Have the greatest wings." She said, a tear running down her snout and into the bristles of her fur. "magnificent wings."
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