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Post by Crescent on Jan 6, 2006 18:42:52 GMT -5
[[after much confusion... I'll begin ]] Hollow had been spending time on the deck, grateful for Roxanne's company though not especially cheered by it. But then, nothing could cheer him until Jewel was safely back on board. He made sure the lantern didn't go out and huddled under his blanket, until suddenly he was certain he could see three small specks in the distance. He pricked his ears and let the blanket fall off his shoulders as he got up on his feet and raised his forefeet on the railing. He squinted at the distance, until he was certain he could see a golden sparkle. A smile rose on his lips. "They're returning!" he called out over his shoulder, loud enough for anyone in a hearing range on the ship to hear, then turned to look out across the sea again. It was as though the world was one vast darkness, but to him it was lighted by a golden sparkle. It seemed as though it was wavering a little. Smile faded from his lips. Was she injured? Rain was growing more and more exhausted by the moment. It was not so much her physical injury as the strain of her magical intervention that taxed her. A relieved smile came over her lips as she finally saw the ship close enough to make out its form. She didn't say anything to either of her flying companions as she folded her wings and ducked, soaring down in a low arch. Her forefeet touched the deck, then let off under her, and she collapsed on her muzzle on the deck. She remained there unmoving. It was all too sweet a feeling to feel firm - well, more or less, anyway - ground beneath her, and she just wanted to lay there. There was good. Strain was off her body.
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Post by Jewel on Jan 6, 2006 18:49:14 GMT -5
The golden pegasus had similar sentiments to the smaller flutter pony, in that she couldn't wait to touch down on something more solid than the sea. The flight was long, and the lack of land in sight had stressed the sea-fearing pegasus above everything else.
A slow and delicate landing was more or less out of the question at that point. The lack of feathers on one wing caused more of a half circle, spinning landing rather than a direct one. As Jewel's hooves neared the deck, she was nearly sideways from her initial orientation.
Jewel did her best to keep herself steady, and eventually slid to a stop, completely turned around from how she had been, and stood panting on splayed legs, wings down at her sides.
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Post by Bella on Jan 6, 2006 18:53:23 GMT -5
Kail flew silently for the rest of the journey, her mind and heart struggling with two seperate opinions - one saying she should be glad she had friends who would risk their lives to come save her, the other saying she could have had a chance to get the locket if they hadn't shown up. As the two extremes fought she frowned and tried to concentrate on the light ahead that signaled their ship.
Instead of landing right away, Kail circled the mast and then looked south towards the other boat. She couldn't see it in the dark, and wasn't sure she would be able to see it in the morning either, but at least she knew the destination of their rivals, if nothing else had come of the trip.
Finally decending, Kail landed softly on the deck of the ship away from the other two and tried to stay out of the way.
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Post by Crescent on Jan 6, 2006 19:00:25 GMT -5
Hollow's frown deepened when he saw Jewel's veering. She must be hurt! Anxiousness rose in him, and as soon as she was stopped he galloped to her, his eyes full of concern. He skidded to a stop close to her, his keen eyes going over her. They widened when they met with the numerous little cuts the broken window had caused, and the sight of the missing feathers made his stomach lurch. Those beautiful wings! His enhanced sight allowed for him a vision more horrible even than normal.
"Jewel!" he called out. "What happened? Are you...? Your wing..." He didn't know what to say. He looked round, and saw Kail farther away, and Princess Rain collapsed to the ground. Kail's perfect landing made it clear she was herself practically unharmed.
I was right! By the Rainbow, I was right! She should never have gone! From his concerned eyes, fixed on Jewel, it was clear who this "she" in his thoughts was, but when his eyes returned to Kail and narrowed to slits, another "she" was just as clear in the next sequence of his thoughts: And neither should SHE!
How DARED she be unharmed when Jewel was so badly wounded! - well, WOUNDED in general, and that was enough to drive Hollow over the edge in horrible fury.
"Kailani Hoofspen!" he called out, anger ringing in his voice loud and clear. "What have you done?!"
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Post by Bella on Jan 6, 2006 19:06:54 GMT -5
Kail's ears laid flat and she cowered for a moment at her name being called in such an angry fashion. She had never been much of a trouble-maker growing up, so she had never been subject to hearing her full name used often. When it had been used, she knew she was in trouble. And she knew she was in trouble now.
"I... they didn't..." she huffed a sigh at being unable to focus her mind on an explanation. Stamping a hoof onto the shadows of the wooden deck, she finally inched closer to the rest of the group. She knew she was in trouble, and it was really her fault, but it would have been better if no one had come after her.
Taking a deep breath, Kail decided to change the subject. "The other ship is headed for Course," she said quietly, but without faltering in her speach.
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Post by Jewel on Jan 6, 2006 19:10:21 GMT -5
"What happened? Are you...? Your wing..."
Jewel slowly extended the injured wing, and turned her head to look at it. Many of the lesser primary feathers were either torn straight out, or left in ragged stubs. Surge really meant business.. and had sharp teeth.
The golden pegasus suddenly slumped into a laying position, head slightly lowered but still upright. She was still catching her breath, and wasn't quite able to articulately respond to Hollow yet.
Purple eyes rested on the fallen Rain's form in concern for the younger princess. The dagger was no longer in her shoulder, (probably at the bottom of the sea where it should be, Jewel reasoned), and the wound had at the very least begun to heal. Overall, it seemed the flutter was stable for the time being.
Jewel had no doubt that Kail had landed safely, and with the knowledge that her teammates were safe, she rested her head on the deck and closed her eyes, breathing finally slowing down to a more normal rate.
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Post by Crescent on Jan 6, 2006 19:22:48 GMT -5
Hollow was soothed a little when Kail wasn't arguing back at him. But only a little. The Yellow Stripe in him, which had not got out much voice lately, was beginning to force itself upon him. It pounded on the back of his brain like a hammer, and despite his fury, he had to listen.
Yellow! it practically screamed at him, and he felt a hot burning on his rump, where the symbol was. It glowed for a moment visibly, but when Hollow's mind turned backwards into itself, to recognise the call of his Champion power - the call of reason.
Where is your logic now? a voice inside him taunted, but he could not tell whether it belonged to his logical self or to the stripe - could the stripe speak to him? He shuddered. Where is your reason? Where is your cold assessment? Look around you... just look. Stop listening to your heart. Isn't that what you've done your entire life? Why do you suddenly let it cloud your mind?
Hollow swallowed. His expression had visibly changed now. He looked at Jewel, insistently seeing only her pain, only her injuries, but the yellow hammer inside his head forced him to turn his eyes onto Rain. He shivered. The Princess lay so still, so unmoving. There was still a long cut on her shoulder and though she breathed, her form looked nearly broken. Hollow swallowed. He had suggested that Rain go with them. He had endangered the Princess.
He forced his mind cool. To separate fact from feeling. He met Kail's eyes again.
"That is good. But did you think of the kind of danger you put yourself? The entire mission? You might have died." He arched his neck. "I admit I made a mistake when I allowed these two come after you. I should have stopped them. Made sure you pay the price on your thoughtlessness alone." There was a sharp, cold edge to his voice.
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Post by Bella on Jan 6, 2006 19:36:50 GMT -5
Kail's face flushed in embarrasement and then in anger at Hollow's last statement. As her fists clenched she realized that she still had Surge's dagger in her forehoof and started forward towards the yellow stripe with firey eyes.
"Did I think of the danger I put myself in?" She said low, angry. "Did I think I might have died? Failed the mission?" Her voice was growing steadily louder and more high pitched as she raised the dagger. "No, Hollow! The thought didn't cross my mind until these two showed up to "save" me!"
Kail screamed at him and slashed the dagger across her own chest, narrowly missing the second symbol and compass. As it blossomed with blood she didn't even flinch. Oh it hurt, it always hurt, but she was so angry right now that she didn't much care.
"Do you think I haven't already paid the price Hollow?" She yelled at him, "do you think I came out of it without a scratch? Without a wound or a bump or a bruise? I spent the past hour being stabbed and cut and pushed and pulled and beaten because you sent two fillies to "rescue" me! Rainbows!"
She threw the bloody dagger into the boards between their feet and stood breathing heavy and trying not to cry. The cut across her chest was already starting to heal, and had in fact barely bled due to the high energy she found herself encased in.
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Post by Jewel on Jan 6, 2006 19:37:38 GMT -5
((cont from the other thread))
Emerald eyes widened slightly as he took in the scene above deck. The party had, somehow, returned intact for the most part.
But all was not well between the Champions themselves. Though Cutter could break up a fight with ease, he knew it best to let them sort things out for themselves. Though somewhere along the way, it seemed the little flutter who called herself Princess was left unattended.
With a heavy sigh, Cutter's mare-friendly nature took hold, and he found himself wordlessly gathering the silver flutter and taking her below deck, all the while muttering about what a sorry team and a great inconvenience the Rainbow's Champions were.
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Post by Crescent on Jan 6, 2006 19:47:01 GMT -5
Hollow didn't flinch at the outburst, he didn't even move away when she approached him. He had confronted such outbursts before, though usually in slightly different circumstances. He eyed Kail coolly as the wound healed itself. Sparkles of gold started to shimmer here and there in his golden eyes. This time he did not lose his temper.
"Could I have held them back, I would have," he spoke slowly, deliberately as coolly as was possible. "I did not 'send' anyone after you." He had not wanted to bring out the fact that Jewel had been the one to insist upon going, and he still wouldn't say exactly so, even though his pride prickled at her acid words. Still, he had no idea what had happened on the other ship, and could only assume Kail's account on the events was accurate. "And if they caused your mission to fail, I will apologise for failing you in not keeping them here."
He met Kail's eyes steadily. He knew that worst that could happen was for them to split up in inner conflict.
Rain was floating somewhere in between conscious and unconscious, only vaguely aware that Kail was yelling. She shrank back. Boy, was she gonna get it. But she hardly even noticed that she was being carried away, or had the strength to oppose.
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Post by Bella on Jan 6, 2006 19:56:59 GMT -5
Kail's whole body was tense and shaking, her mouth puckered into a frown as tears threatened to spill over her lavender eyes. She worried that if she let herself relax she would break down into a sobbing mess, and after a moment of tense challenge within their eyes Kail backed down.
"I'll be with the Princess," she said stifly, "and I'll tell the captain to head towards Course."
Leaving the dagger where it had stuck into the ground, Kail turned and followed the path the pirate carrying Rain had taken down below. Before she made it to the room, however, she found a dark corner where she hoped she could be alone for a few minutes and knelt down into a ball, head burried in her forelegs so she could cry in peace.
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WingSong
'80's Pony
~Quicksand~ ~Tweak~ ~Baby Gadget~ ~Posey~
Posts: 158
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Post by WingSong on Jan 6, 2006 21:25:07 GMT -5
Sandy came up on deck when she heard shouting, stalling along the way but feeling the need to go on. All she had really learned about the Champions since they had boarded was what a loud group they could be. By the time she made it on deck, she first noticed one of the pegasus mares with a partially-healed wound and a bloody dagger in one hoof, and the young flutter lying on the deck. Apparently, the Champions could be a fairly violent group, too.
When Kail left and things were hopefully going to be more quiet, she turned straight back around to check on the flutter, who Cutter had already carried away. She was worried she would run into the upset mare on the way, but was a bit surprised to find the way seemingly empty. Feeling admittedly relieved, the unicorn picked up her pace, but a minute later paused mid-step at the small sound of uneven breathing nearby.
She looked around uneasily, sure there was someone else nearby, and her ears pricked toward a poorly lit corner. Sandy thought she could make out a soft tinge of green through the darkness, and suddenly realized who it had to be. Uh oh. The mare was hoping to sneak by unnoticed when it struck her that the pegasus seemed to be crying. Feeling too guilty at the thought of just walking away, she took a step closer and said quietly, "Are you alright?"
Then she realized what a stupid question it was and went closer to sit a safe couple of feet away. "I'm...sure he didn't mean it," she said hesitantly, not even really sure what "it" was. She had just gone with the assumption that this had something to do with the stallion Kail had last been speaking to.
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Post by Bella on Jan 6, 2006 22:33:28 GMT -5
"Are you alright?"
Kail hadn't known someone was nearby and brought her head up quickly at the voice, sniffling the tears back and trying to look presentable. She recognized the filly from the first morning she had boarded the ship and was glad it was her and not one of the other pirates at least. In fact, out of all the ponies on this ship, Quicksand was probably the most welcome in Kail's eyes right now, baring of course the unconcious Razzaroo.
Smiling, although it didn't reach her eyes, the peg shook her head. "No, I'm sure he did. It probably wasn't very smart of me but considering all the circumstances it seemed like the best thing to do at the time." She wanted to go off on a rant of "what ifs" - what if it hadn't been Rascal in the boat, what if Jewel hadn't shown up, what if Hollow weren't so obviously falling in love with the gold mare - but she bit her tongue. None of those what ifs had happened, so it wasn't worth dwelling on them. "In any case, I know where locket's headed now, so at least some good came of it."
Scratching her neck self-conciously and tucking a stray piece of forelock behind her ear Kail took a deep breath. "It's easier to take care of a couple dozen screaming children than a half-dozen grown Champions sometimes."
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WingSong
'80's Pony
~Quicksand~ ~Tweak~ ~Baby Gadget~ ~Posey~
Posts: 158
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Post by WingSong on Jan 6, 2006 22:43:26 GMT -5
The mare was glad she had at least been headed in the right direction with her vague words of comfort, but after what Kail had said found herself wondering even more just what had been said.
For lack of anything better to say now, Quicksand hoped that distracting Kail from the current situation would be an effective way to cheer her up - and that she would even be able to change the conversation to a less upsetting topic. She singled out a snippet of what the pegasus had just said and asked in what she made sure to be a casual tone, "You...work with foals?"
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Post by Bella on Jan 6, 2006 22:50:56 GMT -5
This time the smile did reach Kail's eyes, although barely. "Yes, I run a nursery." She looked down at the red line across her chest that had healed now but left a trail of blood, "I probably don't seem the type...."
Wiping at the blood on her chest with a hoof, Kail gave a half smile, "I'm not usually like this. I'm usually very calm and collected and mature... and boring!" She laughed quickly. "It's just stress, ya know? I've got sick kids at home, an unconcious boyfriend somewhere on this ship, I'm trying to save the world again and now my entire support group thinks I'm a stupid little filly who is trying to get herself hurt or killed on a desperate mission."
Kail frowned; she hadn't meant to steer herself back into a rant about the current situation. "Sorry."
"What about you. You're a... pirate? You seem too caring for a pirate."
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