PyroBlaze Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 Sandā gave low hum at his response, looking back out into the storm. At his suggestion they sleep in shifts and that she take first watch, she gave a simple nod. Her mind was too busy for her to rest right now... and now she had his suggestion to mull over on top of her already present worries... Ugh, this one was going to take forever to reach a decision on. There was nothing better to do though, and so she started the internal debates. -------- The Pegasus blinked awake again at his nudging, looking out to see the storm had passed. Nodding to him, she climbed out of the hole before helping him out if he accepted it. "Agreed, we should head out now." She said, looking around. She may not know as much about mountains as him, but she could tell they had plenty of light to search by and the clouds seemed to be leaving as well. Satisfied they weren't in any immediate danger, she looked to him and headed off towards where she remembered coming from during the crash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeig Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 So... "He's the same as ever, then," Ryuichi surmised, a pleased tint to his tone that flirted dangerously with the edge in Yuè's. An undoubtedly mischievous Lián, a subsequently annoyed Yuè...ancestors. Where just a few hours ago he'd felt an entire lifetime spanning the gap between him and Long Guo's sovereign Empress, now it felt like he was back to being a foal, running around the Imperial Palace gardens or showing off his secret collection of golem trading cards to Lián. ... He missed this. ...The company of old friends, not the 'stuck on a mountaintop in a blizzard of death' part. No, the ability to interact with others without the worry of titles or propriety weighing him down, because back then, they had all existed on a relatively even playing field. Sandā remained the only part of him that could cling to that foalhood innocence and carelessness, and even that would soon be ripped away. Once he was married, well...it wouldn't do very good to be alone in the private company of a mare that wasn't his bride, even if that mare was his Shīrudo. Propriety, propriety propriety. Ryuichi was once again pulled from his thoughts, however, as Yuè spoke up, her eyes seeming to fall downwards in resignation or exhaustion...or both. The Ryuma stared out at the swirling white for a moment longer, before he nodded decisively. The chances of anything attacking or coming after them in this blizzard were slim to none, making it a good chance to gather strength. Ryuichi lay down on his front, utilizing his wing to urge the mare downwards alongside him, so they could lay on their forelegs. "Rest, then," the Shogun instructed, "we've a long day ahead of us tomorrow." It would be a while longer, however, before Ryuichi would actually bring his head down to rest it on his forelegs. Some nights were just...sleepless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 The night was cold, but bracing. No longer was energy sapped by helplessness! Purposeful, directed movement could keep the fire in a Longma's belly blazing, and the fires within Feng burned and crackled with every step through the snow. Between his mountaineering skills, and Sanda's own navigation, the pair made good time up and around the mountain. Once they were clear of the treeline, a faint glow could be see from up ahead, flickering from the mouth of a cave even higher up. "Aha!" The Watcher cried out, pointing upwards. "That must be it! They've lit a fire, or something. Hang on, your majesties, we're coming!" No longer needing to spare himself, the longa spread his wings wide and soared into the biting air. The thin atmosphere made flight doubly difficult, but for this short, last step he would brook no delay, charging up towards his charge. Without any subtlety, or care for the possibility of sleeping ponies, Feng landed with a slam of four hooves at the cave mouth and a shout: "WE'RE HE-E-ERE!" It was only after emptying his lungs that he chanced to look around and see- oh. Feng saw what looked suspiciously looked like the Empress and the Shogun had taken the opportunity afforded by privacy to admit to and indulge in a little intimate snuggling. Of course, he would have discounted the sight on his knowledge of Yue's aversion to scandal... but it wasn't as if anyone here wasn't sworn to keep secrets anyway. Naturally, Feng's own affections couldn't help but kindle a spark of jealousy in him, but his own knowledge of the Empress' true feelings allowed him to suppress it. That all said, he was very much interested in what the royals had to say for themselves... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellosh Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 In the fog of Yuè's dreamscape, the winds of turmoil raged. Mirrors circled around the qilin, depicting haunting visions within their frames: "You must honor our traditions, my daughter." An emperor dissolved into nothingness..... "Safe inside your castle and unaware of the dangers on your doorstep.” A black kraken swam in the deep abyss; clutched in one of its vile tentacles was a pearl wreathed in flame..... "To 'be yourself' is the one luxury a monarch cannot afford." There was Presteza's scandalous artwork of an empress without clothes melting into sludge, revealing behind it the visage of a monstrous crowned Long the likes of which has not been seen in 2,000 years..... "This could be a ploy to isolate and kidnap you, Your Majesty." Dressed in comically gaudy robes of the finest shimmersilk, Lián Mei cackled evilly as she perched herself on the Dragon Throne. By her side was a bespectacled longma reminiscent of Qing, but with a body of flame instead of flesh. As Qing served Empress Mei a giant bowl of shaved ice so heavy that no longma should have been able to lift it, the sound of the assistant's screaming could be heard everywhere ..... "I wonder if you think it's your duty to be unhappy." At last Yuè saw herself in the mirror wearing her royal regalia, but there was no shimmer to it... or any other color but soul-crushing gray. The mare now felt those clothes on her own body, but their weight was so heavy, threatening to crush her into oblivion. Yet Yuè dared not take them off, for it would always be her burden to bear..... "This is precisely what I meant and yet you failed to heed my warnings." The mirrors vanished, replaced by menacing shadows with pale eyes who stand in front of Yuè outside the Hall of the Dragon Hall. The entire Shadow Court had assembled to close in on its prey, no longer heeding any command. All turned to darkness..... .............. "...Will the Long Sun continue to have faith in their Empress?" The weight... the burden was too great to bear..... .............. ..................................... "You have more than just your father and myself in you, Yuè." Wait... Mother? What was this memory of Yuè's coronation doing here? And why was the mother stripping her daughter of the royal phoenix crown? "Empress or not, you're amazing no matter what sits on your head." The entire Void filled with light, filling Yuè with- "WE'RE HE-E-ERE!" ----------------- Yuè awoke with a gasp, shooting her head up right off of the Shogun at that familiar voice; "Feng!" There stood the faithful bodyguard somewhat worse for wear, along with his Neighponese counterpart. Pure relief filled the heart of the Empress, granting her the strength to ignore the pain, get up off her hooves, and shine her eyes upon the two protectors. She subconsciously laid a hoof upon her chest; "Y-you're safe." The royal qilin would have forever blamed herself had anything... unfortunate happened to her intimate confidante. As that clearly wasn't the case, there was no further rationale for foalish thoughts... like fretfulness or shame. All that mattered was the group of four had reunited..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PyroBlaze Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Sandā sighed slightly as Feng flew ahead, a small smile on her face as she shook her head. Honestly, she wanted to just fly up there too, but her wing was still hurt and she’d rather not make it worse unnecessarily. She walked up on the cave soon enough anyways, blinking as she looked between the two royals. Well, she was happy they were alive and doing alright from what she could tell. “Are you hurt?” She asked after a few seconds. Honestly, it was more meant for Ryu, but she had left it a bit open for Yue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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