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| The Exiles; Fortis and Oracle | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 17 2009, 02:43 PM (954 Views) | |
| Fortis | Mar 18 2009, 12:14 AM Post #11 |
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"I think you are beautiful too Noss." Beautiful…Noss had been called many things during his exile, but beautiful was never one of them. Again he marveled at the companion that the Wild Gods had led him to, yet as he thought, he found that more and more, he would not have it any other way. They had answered his prayers to end his exile in a way he did not expect, yet they knew better than he how to cure his loneliness. Even though she was not a reptilian, he would choose her over even his own kind. It didn’t matter what kind of blood flowed in her veins. What mattered is that she had done for him what no others, even among his own kind, had done. She trusted him, accepted him, and dare he believe, or hope, loved him. This made her beautiful in Noss’ sight. It was with this thought that he slowly drifted into a restful sleep, listening to her song. It was with her graceful melody and the gentle notes from her harp that he dreamed. His rest was peaceful this night, undisturbed by ominous dreams. “Noss, awake! There is land.” Noss’ eyes fluttered open, blinking in the morning sun. Ursa was close at his side, each of them taking comfort in the other’s warmth to ward off the chilly night. Noss stretched out his limbs and tail, and sat up upon the raft. Then he heard it, the cry of a gull, and the rush of a wave crashing to shore. He stood upon the raft, and looked into the distance. There it was, the shore of a beach, and tropical trees behind it “Ursssa! We are sssaved! The Wild Godsss blesss usss!” He cried in relief. He angled the sail, catching the light breeze to guide them to the land. The sail billowed, pulling them towards the beach. As they drew close, Noss saw the island in detail, beynd the beach towering trees arose, growing tall as each competed with its neighbors to reach the most sunlight. Only the tops of the trees had leaves, the tallest ones had bare trunks for over fifty meters of their height, though they grew shorter as they approached the shore. However, between the sandy shore and the trees was a region of profuse thicket of vines, shrubs, and small trees. As they drew close, the sounds of the wildlife within the rainforest could be heard, the chittering of insects, the calls of birds, and once the distant roar of a jaguar or tiger. With skillful handling, Noss guided the raft after one of the cresting waves, and near to the shore. When the water was only knee deep, Noss stepped off and into the shallows. Gently he picked up Ursa and set her upon the dry land, then pulled the raft up onto the sand as well. He stepped up to Ursa and put his arms around her, and looked into the rainforest. To humans, dwarves, and such, seeing the dark shade beneath the dense canopy and hearing the animals of the jungle would probably be intimidating and frightening. However, in Noss, it only caused a pang of homesickness. “It remindsss me of my home, Ursssa. It isss ssso sssimilar, it makesss me long to return and show it to you,” Noss said, with a slight tone of regret, yet one of hopefulness in his voice. “Thisss isss the worksss of the Wild Godsss handsss. Junglesss sssuch asss thisss have fed and sheltered my kind sssince their creation.” |
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| Oracle | Mar 21 2009, 03:09 AM Post #12 |
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“It remindsss me of my home, Ursssa. It isss ssso sssimilar, it makesss me long to return and show it to you. Thisss isss the worksss of the Wild Godsss handsss. Junglesss sssuch asss thisss have fed and sheltered my kind sssince their creation.” Ursa was herself a little frightened of the trees and the noises coming from within, but she knew too, that she was perfectly safe with Noss. Her relief to be on dry land was flooding through her a well as Noss' obvious joy of the jungle. Before she realised what she was doing she had fluttered her wings launching herself the two feet higher that she needed to be, and flung her arms around Noss. Mindful to not touch the still healing wounds of his burn, she buried her face in his neck and clung there, unsure of what to say. His skin smell slighly of spice, or so it seemed to her, and was not at all unpleasant. For a time she was content just being close to him. He wanted to show her his home. He saw his future with her in it. His adventures didn't end with him leaving her in the world of men when he returned home. She most certainly didn't belong here any more than he did, but it brought her great comfort that he didn't have plans to abandon her. Was it possible that he might even grow to love her? She wanted to ask him, but was afraid he might laugh and tell her she was silly. A reptilian and a siren? Her heart swelled painfully and ached in her chest, and for a moment she thought she might cry before reining in her emotions. He had been everything to her from the moment he had ripped her from the curse. None could ever take his place in her eyes or heart. But she was small and weak, she must appear pathetic compared to reptilian women. Theirs was a strange relationship to be sure, but she would continue to trust both the Wild Gods and Noss. So instead she softly mumbled into his neck, "I would love to see your home someday Noss. Would they accept me there? No, never mind that. If I'm with you it doesn't matter." Raising her head she lovingly kissed his cheek, then fluttered backward to land in the sand. Taking hold of his hand, "Come, let's find some water, and please tell me anything you know about what we pass. I was from a northern fishing village. I vaguely remember stone streets and square houses. You saw my island, not even a tree. I don't know what dangers there might be." As they entered the canopy she was blissfully unaware of the many sets of dark beady eyes watching from the concealment of the underbrush. ((When I found this picture a few months ago I thought "That's Ursa." Since she is revived I decided to share it.))
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I Role Play because the people in my head tell me to. TUESDAY AFTERNOON It is God who can transform the lowest into the highest, who humbles the proud, and causes that which is in darkness to become light.~Horace ![]() | |
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| Fortis | Mar 21 2009, 12:36 PM Post #13 |
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“The Wild Godsss accepted you asss one of usss, and ssso will my tribe ssso long as they heed the Wild Godsss. Dessspite what you may have heard, the biggessst danger doesss not come from predatorsss, though we mussst alwaysss be on our guard,” Noss said, walking though the underbrush with Ursa. “The danger comesss from ignorance. Many plantsss and animalsss defend themssselves with venom and poissson. If one doesss not know what isss good to eat, they can easssily poissson themssselvesss. But I know what isss good. Keep your eyesss and earsss open, and you will be fine.” He led the way through the jungle underbrush, picking carefully through the plants and vines. As he walked, he got one of the bolas from his belt, holding it ready to throw. He constantly flicked out his tongue, tasting the air for scents. There was a startling array of scents that would soon overload a human nose. However, Noss could pick out the individual scents of plants and animals. The medley of smells reminded him so much of home, yet it was different, here there was new plants that he had not smelled before, and many that he was used to were missing. But there was one scent in particular that he sought, that of fresh water. Finding a taste of it in the air, he began tracking it. Eventually, the underbrush began to thin out as the canopy of the rainforest became thicker, shading the ground from the light the underbrush needed. As the underbrush gave way, Noss was able to move more quickly along the dim forest floor. He tasted the humid air’s scents again. “I sssmell panthersss and apesss, but none are near. There are unfamiliar ssscentsss here, yet many are familiar. Sssuch asss thisss.” Noss stooped to pluck a small bunch of tiny bell-shaped indigo flowers from the ground. “The humansss call thisss the ‘waterbell’, though we call it dess’itha in our language. The leavesss can be ground and mixed with water to make a sssoothing ointment that helpsss injuriesss to ssscale and ssskin. The flowersss are lesss potent, but they have a pleasssing ssscent.” Noss put the leaves of the plant into a pouch, but held out the flowers to Ursa. “Thessse flowersss were made by the goddesss s’Lioss’aleiss when her brother wasss burned when the sssun came too clossse to the earth.” As they walked, the trees became taller and the canopy became thicker. The forest floor was darkened into a dim twilight. Only the plants that could survive the dim light grew on the forest floor. Yet Noss moved steadily forward, undisturbed by the darkness. He was glad for the shade, the constant sunlight of the sea had been irritating his injured back. As he walked, he pointed out many such plants to Ursa, some herbs that had healing properties, other plants that were toxic which Noss warned Ursa not to touch, and some that had interesting legends and storied behind them. Gradually, a new sound became audible amid the natural noises of the rainforest. The gurgling of a lazy stream or river could be heard up ahead, and a light from the opening in the canopy could be seen ahead as well. |
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| Oracle | Mar 26 2009, 04:15 AM Post #14 |
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Ursa listened attentively to everything Noss pointed out to her. She even began reciting things back that she recognised, a smile adorning her face every time she remembered correctly. He showed her the beautiful 'water bells'. She held them close to her nose smelling of their delicate fragrance. "They smell beautiful Noss." Looking at his still tender skin, "can the leaves help the burns on your back? What do we need to do to make the leaves usable?" She reached toward the blistered area, but didn't touch. "It looks so uncomfortable." She shook her head again. "my wings would have been destroyed had your body not shielded me." As it was the exposed joints at the fold of her wings were still painful and stiff. The lesson of the plants continued for a space of time. His every word absorbed as if by an eager student. She had taken hold of his hand, for some reason she felt more secure and at ease when she was close to him. As they walked she became ever more curious about his past, before he left his jungle. "Noss, before you left your home..." she was almost reluctant to ask. Did she really want to know? She admitted to herself that she did. For good or ill she needed to quell her heart. "Did you have a love, a mate? Someone to complete you? I'm sorry, if it is too personal you don't have to answer." Her voice got very quiet, "but I would really like to know." Could he detect the anxiety in her voice? Perhaps he was kind to everyone, and she was just someone he felt responsible for. She could tell the change instantly when he smelled the water. She heard it before she could actually smell the wet earthiness associated with it. The scene was full of beauty as she approached the clearing. The sound of the rushing water pouring through the wall of porous rock on the far side of the deep pool, brought a look of child-like joy to her face. Ursa bent to drink, replenishing her lost reserves, finding it as sweet as it appeared. When she was finally sated she stood, glancing uneasily at the forest behind them. Her body jumped as she felt a stabbing prick behind her neck. Then another in her shoulder. A wave of nausea, then severe dizziness seized her. With great effort she reached for his arm, stumbling forward. "Noss, something is wrong." She held out the small dart like piece of wood, then began her slump to the earthen floor. ((sorry, I was very tired and had some things out of sequence, so I edited today.)) Edited by Oracle, Mar 26 2009, 12:08 PM.
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I Role Play because the people in my head tell me to. TUESDAY AFTERNOON It is God who can transform the lowest into the highest, who humbles the proud, and causes that which is in darkness to become light.~Horace ![]() | |
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| Fortis | Mar 30 2009, 01:24 AM Post #15 |
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Noss bowed his head as he considered Ursa’s question. “…No, I had no one,” Noss answered at length. “Though I had come of age, I had yet to find a mate. When I wasss exiled, I had dessspaired of ever finding sssomeone to complete me.” Noss words trailed off as he thought on how to phrase his next words. There was much he wanted to say to Ursa on this matter, but he didn’t know how to say it. He was afraid of saying too much and causing her hesitancy, doubt, or worse, repulsion. He opened his mouth to speak again, but their arrival at the river precluded further conversation. Noss looked about himself as Ursa knelt to drink from the river. It seemed like a wholesome place, yet the unfamiliar scents of the place caused him to pause. At length, he shrugged and knelt to refill his depleted waterskin. He took a long draught, savoring the water after the salty meals from the ocean, and refilled his waterskin again. “There isss good fish to be had here,” Noss said, noting the silvery forms darting underneath the surface. Noss started as Ursa jumped, and gasped when he saw her. There was a small dart sticking out of her back. When she swooned, Noss swiftly stepped forward to catch her. With one hand, he pulled out the dart. The bitter stench of a toxin was obvious on the dart’s tip, Noss tossed it aside. Noss gasped again as he felt something strike his shoulder, as a dart glanced off of his scales. Looking up, Noss saw vague forms, covered in moss and leaves, moving among the trees. Picking up Ursa in both arms, Noss ran from the river’s edge. With his precious burden, Noss dashed into the trees, trampling the shrubs in his path and ignoring their scratching thorns. Even before the river the river was out of sight, a sharp pain lanced us through his back. His vision began swimming, and he howled in pain. His feet stumbled and he fell to his knees. Gritting his teeth, through a titanic effort he surged to his feet and continued to lurch forward, still carrying Ursa. Two steps later, a second pain lanced through him. He fell again to his knees, and though his hazy, drugged mind railed against it, Ursa fell from his numbing arms. Noss toppled to the side in a slow, languid movement. “…noooo…Sssilver voiccce…run…” He pleaded in his hazy delusion. Overcome at last, his will succumbed to the toxin in his blood and his eyes closed as consciousness left him. |
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| Oracle | Apr 3 2009, 01:22 AM Post #16 |
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Head of Diplomatic Affairs
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Ursa awoke slowly, some of the dizziness staying with her, so she kept her eyes closed for the moment. What had happened? She remembered Noss telling her he had no one. She remembered her heart skipping a beat to hear him say it. Though she felt guilty at the same time. True she wanted Noss' happiness, she just wanted it with her. It was also true only her lower legs were reptilian, and her voice...she could sing. But there was little else that would attract such a strong hunter to her. She needed time with him. She smiled as she felt what seemed to be his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes opened, then the terror and the noise started. A scream erupted from her throat as she launched away from the vile creature. It was nearly thrice Noss' size. Its teeth huge. It was some sort of reptilian but she had never seen nor heard of its kind. Its head looked almost too big for its neck, horned ridges formed backward from its brow. It was not beautiful like Noss. There was no warmth in the beady eyes, no joy to be seen in it's countenance. Noss' eyes were full of wisdom and compassion, his mouth full of humor and kindness that drew her heart to loving him. This reptile was hideous and mean. Its fore feet were small while its haunches were huge. Noss was beautiful in form, while this parody of a lizard had no balance and grace, it was clumsy. She had escaped just in time, or so she thought. Just as she was about to make flight into the trees the strap that had been bound, unnoticed, to her ankle drew taut and she crashed from the air to the ground. "NOOOOSSSSS!" She had never been so frightened in her life. Was she set out as dinner for some beast? Panic hastened through her breast at the thought of being eaten alive by whatever that thing was. She scrambled to untie the strap but it seemed to be secured with a sticky substance. She felt the ground tremble as the beast rushed toward her. She dashed to the side again and fell by the brush. The beast stopped, as if it couldn't see her. Perhaps it could only detect moving prey? She lay perfectly still, praying the Wild Gods to bring her Noss. Foul heated breath, full of stench wafted over her then was gone. Without moving her head she looked around the clearing. There was a weapon of some sort in the stone pillar she was attached to. To her surprise there was another strap leading away from the pillar. Her heart leaped, it was Noss, but he was still sleeping. She would have to try and move toward him during the time the beast was looking elsewhere. |
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I Role Play because the people in my head tell me to. TUESDAY AFTERNOON It is God who can transform the lowest into the highest, who humbles the proud, and causes that which is in darkness to become light.~Horace ![]() | |
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| Fortis | Apr 4 2009, 01:14 AM Post #17 |
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Noss stirred, shifting in his sleep. He was feverish from the venom used to subdue him, his skin hot. His poisoned mind was again plagued by nightmares. He was upon a battlefield, littered with the freshly slain. There was a foul stench lingering in the air, and crows were descending all around like a fog. A piercing scream pealed over the battlefield, and Noss looked up as he thought he heard his name called from the distance. Noss looked around for the source of the voice, but he could see nothing amid the thick cloud of crows and carrion birds. He awoke with a start, his eyes flicking open. The first thing he realized was that he was bound, hand and foot, by some crude rope. The second was that he had been stripped of all his weapons. The third thing he noticed was that he was still smelling the foul stench. He saw there was some huge creature in the area. His eyes were drawn to it’s coarse scaly hide. It was some huge reptile, a throwback to a more primordial primitive age. It’s lumbering, disproportionate form searching the ground for something. Noss began stealthily picking at his bindings with his claws, as he carefully scanned around, praying that Ursa wasn’t in danger as well. He noticed the pillar, and the rope binding him to it. He felt the chill of dread as he notice the second rope. His eyes followed it, confirming his worst fears. The other rope was bound to Ursa’s ankles. The beast was looking for her! Ursa wisely remained still, making herself difficult to find, the beast passed over her once already. It wouldn’t be long before the monster found her, though. Noss had to do something. He strained at the bonds his clawing had weakened. The ones around his hands snapped, causing the misshapen monster to look up suddenly. Noss swiftly slashed at the ropes binding his feet, cutting his own scales as he severed the ropes. The reptile beast turned in his direction, and began lumbering towards him. Noss leapt to his feet, and jumped toward the pillar. There, a crude axe had been left, with a blade of chipped obsidian. He grabbed the small axe, and latched his claws into the pillar. The beast charged at him as Noss quickly scaled the crude pillar. Within moments, he scaled up to the top, even as the beast snapped at his tail with it’s toothy maw. Breathing deeply, Noss perched at the top of the pillar, just out of reach from the huge reptile glaring up at him with a bestial hunger in it’s eyes. Noss gripped the obsidian axe, and aimed carefully with the unfamiliar weapon. He breathed a silent prayer to the wild gods to aim his throw. He heaved the weapon, as the beast prowled around the pillar. The axe missed the beast altogether. It’s blade sunk into the ground, severing the rope that bound Ursa to the pillar. “Fly Ursssa!” Noss called, “Get out of itsss reach!” Beneath him, the beast began nudging at the pillar with it’s snout, causing it to wobble underneath Noss. Noss knelt and held on with his hands to keep his balance on the pillar. |
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| Oracle | Apr 4 2009, 02:37 PM Post #18 |
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Head of Diplomatic Affairs
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Ursa remained motionless even though every fibre of her being strained to run to Noss. When she saw him stirring her breath escaped in a sigh of deepest relief. Part of her had feared he might already be dead. But the tension quickly returned when he began struggling with his bonds, drawing attention to himself. Just as Noss freed himself the beast was almost upon him. She wanted to hide her eyes from the possible witness of Noss' destruction, but she had to be ready if he needed help. She leaped to her feet as he grabbed the axe, sure that he would do his best to defend himself and kill the creature. To her shock, he threw the axe away from the beast, severing her bond to the post. Her heart nearly burst at the magnitude of his sacrifice. She had to distract the beast, give Noss a chance to regain the weapon. Screaming at the top of her lungs she flew at the creature circling around it's head, just out of reach. Slowly as she got its attention she maneuvered it away from Noss. Hopefully he could retrieve the the axe now while she had its attention. She had forgotten about the strap dangling from her ankle, and the creature wasn't totally without some thinking capability. It grabbed the strap and pulled down sharply with its tiny forearm. In a panic she raked her talons across its eye, and in a bellow of rage he had released his hold on the rope. While he thrashed his head wildly about, she gathered up the strap and secured it tightly. If they survived this, she could have Noss remove it later. No longer in danger from the creature she again hovered just out of harms way, praying Noss' strong arm would be enough to kill it. |
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I Role Play because the people in my head tell me to. TUESDAY AFTERNOON It is God who can transform the lowest into the highest, who humbles the proud, and causes that which is in darkness to become light.~Horace ![]() | |
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| Fortis | Apr 11 2009, 02:02 AM Post #19 |
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Climbing down from the pillar he had been bound to, Noss marveled at the courage of the siren. Such a gentle creature, and yet she displayed a bravery beyond that of many of the best hunters Noss knew. She played a dangerous game with a beast that caused even him to tremble. What’s more, she had half blinded it, though Noss’s heart had caught in his throat when the monster had grabbed onto the rope dangling from Ursa’s foot. With the monster distracted, Noss stealthily dashed up to the axe sticking out of the ground. Gripping it’s handle, he looked up at the beast again. It was attacking madly about itself, it’s ruined eye paining it. It roared, and jumped up to snap it’s horrible jaws at Ursa, but the courageous siren always fluttered just beyond it’s reach. The eye that Ursa had clawed was all but useless, and left a huge blind spot in the beast’s vision. Noss dashed again, running up to the beast from the side of it’s ruined eye. Thrusting with his powerful legs, Noss leaped and dug his claws into the beast’s flank. The monster roared in pain, and twisted it’s head around to bite Noss off of it’s side. But Noss was quicker. Holding the axe in his teeth, he swung over to the middle of the beast’s back as it’s fangs snapped at his tail. The monster twisted back and forth, but could not bend it’s neck enough to bring it’s powerful jaws to bear on Noss. The beast thrashed, but Noss’s sharp claws dug into it’s coarse, scaly hide and held him securely. Swiftly Noss climbed up to the back of the beast’s neck. Holding on with one hand and both feet, Noss removed the axe from his mouth. Gripping it tightly, he watched the neck for just a moment. There! Noss’s keen eye picked out a faint throb, the bulge of a vein deep in the monster’s neck. Noss swung the axe as hard as he could. As easily as it severed the rope, the keen obsidian edge cut into the scaly hide. Noss yanked the axe free as a fount of blood spurted from the wound. The beast roared and thrashed madly, but the damage was already done. Its roar subsided to a choked gurgle, it’s thrashings weakened. The beast stumbled, then fell to the ground, as Noss leapt off of its back. It breathed laboriously for a few moments, twitching its limbs. Finally, it’s breath rattled in it’s throat, and its lungs stilled. Noss stood aside, clutching the axe in one hand and panting. He watched the beast, making sure it was truly dead. “Ursssa!” Noss said, seeing the beast cease it’s breathing. His relief was immense, as his fear drained from him. He dropped the axe and ran to the siren’s side, clasping his arms about her. “You’re sssafe! Praissse be to the Wild Godsss! I feared that you would die!” Edited by Fortis, Apr 11 2009, 02:04 AM.
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| Oracle | Apr 11 2009, 06:03 PM Post #20 |
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Noss was proving to be every bit the warrior-hunter she knew he could be. Still, she was terrified of loosing him. One wrong move, and he would be gone. She screamed at the top of her lungs, sounding more like her cousins, the harpies, than a silver voiced Siren. As Noss climbed the creatures back she descended further down than she should have, but she wanted the beasts full attention. She kicked viciously at its snout. The beast turned his beady eyes on her creating the opening Noss needed. His axe swung with deadly accuracy. As the blood gushed from its fatal wound, Ursa settled to the ground. Her lungs were heaving after the exertion of battle. Her heart fluttered violently in the wake of her fear of loosing Noss. With the beast's dying throes her limbs began to tremble. "Urssa!" She heard Noss' call. When he ran toward her, her wings extended, and she launched herself into his open arms. “You’re sssafe! Praissse be to the Wild Godsss! I feared that you would die!” Finally, in Noss' arms she felt safe. Ursa hugged him tightly, refusing to let go. "I was afraid to loose you too Noss. What would I do without you? My heart would have no home." She leaned back in his arms, her hands running over his face, from his lower jaw, across his cheeks and up to his temples. Her roving stilled as she looked mesmerised into his eyes, wanting desperately to unburden her heart. She was brave enough to taunt the beast that assailed them, but she was afraid to utter three simple words to Noss. Instead she kissed his cheek, and nestled back into his arms, softly singing, "don't ever leave me." The serene moment was broken by the sound of a hundred ululating voices all clamouring together. Men half her size came running from the jungle. Their arms flailing, and gesturing toward the creature. They appeared happy and non-threatening, for the time being she was content to ignore them, as they began carving into the fallen carcass. Edited by Oracle, Apr 11 2009, 06:34 PM.
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I Role Play because the people in my head tell me to. TUESDAY AFTERNOON It is God who can transform the lowest into the highest, who humbles the proud, and causes that which is in darkness to become light.~Horace ![]() | |
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