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Remember the Price of your Prayer [Silas]

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August 28, 2015 - 1:25am — MarQuee
S i l a s D j i n n



OOC: Since I've been gone so long, I'm revising his profile.




[center]Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Size: 3
Scent: AMBER LIGHT GOLD
Forest appearance


Personality: He has confidence issues and a lack of masculinity. He won’t stand up for himself in a fight or even an argument. He’s caring and trusting towards most anyone he meets right away, and if that trust isn’t betrayed he can quickly becoming a very loyal friend. He wears a mask most of the time to hide his face, but he has shown himself before on rare occasion.

Background: Silas has always been a shy and fearful soul. As he grew older the other deer his age sprouted to the normal adult size, but he remained small. This only humiliated him, making him hide away from others even more. He would sleep during the day and be awake during the night, usually too afraid to leave the safety of the Ruin. Loneliness chewed away at him.
He knew how unhealthy it was to live this way, and decided to pray to anyone- or thing- that would listen. When he went to sleep he had a very vivid dream. (picture link) He was standing face to face with the biggest deer he'd ever seen. He was young in the face, but his antlers had grown so long that the ends were twisted together and covered in moss. His coat was magnificently long and grey. He smiled down at the young deer, and explained that he was a forest deity who had heard the boy's prayer and decided to help him by giving him an enchanted mask that would help him conquer his fears. Overjoyed, Silas took the mask he was offered.

When he awoke, he had on the same mask he was given in the dream. He felt like he could take on the world! He found himself stepping away from the Ruin without hesitation and made himself known to his fellow deer.

One night on his way back to the Ruin, (where he still slept) and encountered the Old Oak. He found himself afraid of its sound, and felt like something was watching him in disdain from its dark interior. Perplexed and terrified, he fled the place. He found it strange that the mask hadn't worked on that tree. This was one of two fears he would still be plagued by with the mask's assistance. The other fear he would face was taking the mask off. It had quickly become his crutch. Now he wasn't lonely, yet he felt very empty. What good was having this confidence if it weren't truly his?
August 28, 2015 - 2:40am — Bayleen
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I believe my doe Mariposa met

I believe my doe Mariposa met him briefly c: I apologize if she hurt his feelings by her fear of him, she's just like that when she first meets deer... especially males because their antlers intimidate her at first heh.
—
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August 28, 2015 - 4:01am — MarQuee
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@Bayleen Yes, I remember her.

@Bayleen Yes, I remember her. Sorry if he came off a little strong! It didn't hurt his feelings, though, he appreciates the company. I hope they can meet again soon!
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 29, 2015 - 11:18pm — cloudandis
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OOC: I'll make a starting

OOC: I'll make a starting post here then, if that's alright. the character I'm using is Sabel. Interpet her appearance as you like, as there's a lot of art for her. xD

-


The clear, crisp chirps of crickets sang in choirs throughout the thin, towering trees of the forest. their branches were high, blocking out any moonlight that attempted to spill through- save for clearings or the pond. In the deep haze of blues, blacks, and soft greens that enveloped the ground and trees, they were tinted with the soft oranges and yellows of fireflies. This world was much like undisturbed water; a looking glass. It was clear, vivid in color. And even with the disturbance of nocturnal creatures, it remained so.

Silver-grey eyes loomed in the darkness of a large, 'Old Oak', as it was known. Here the forest silenced itself for the hum- the song- of the tree. The sound did not drown out others. Nor did it prevent other sounds from being heard. But it was loud and thrummed through the very being of the creature that looked out through it. To her, it was simple, lulling background noise. The company she had earlier had long since left- or perhaps it was she, that had left it? the deericorn could not be certain of this. In silence, she continued to watch the glowing of the fireflies in the distance. Her long, white tail snaked out from the darkness of the tree. The tip of it was lined with thick, long hair and fur, and brushed away dead pine needles from the ground absent-mindedly.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 29, 2015 - 11:42pm — MarQuee
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In a distant patch of

In a distant patch of flowers, a small, pale-coated buck rose from a nap that lasted longer than expected. He looked around to find his company gone, and heard no sound other than the ever constant hum of cicadas and crickets. It seemed that he had slept through sunset. A shame, it was his favorite time of day. He shook the grass and petals from his loose, fluffy coat, and gazed up at the moon above, framed by the treetops. He smiled in admiration at the blinking of the fireflies that illuminated his path home to the ruins.
Using the hum of the Great Oak as a landmark, he struck out into the darkness beyond the flowery clearing. He would have to pass its entrance on his way.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 29, 2015 - 11:55pm — cloudandis
cloudandis's picture

'How curious.' These words

'How curious.' These words etched themselves, almost involuntarily, into Sabel's mind. The soft clip-clop of hooves was steadily making its way closer, cutting through the hymn of the Old Oak. The creature's eyes widened in curiosity as something approached- or rather, was making its way past the tree. Thick, fluffy golden-brown fur was displayed through the few rays of moonlight dancing among the trees. The strange deer-like figure moved up and down in a casual manner as it continued to walk. 'Very curious.' Thought the doe.

Whoever the stranger was, for a moment they were captivated by the light of the half-moon, looking up through the trees. Perhaps he had a better view over there. Sabel, on the other hand, got a better view of his.... face? He appeared to be wearing a white mask, with red and black markings decorating it. Masks were not uncommon in the forest, and she could not see the entirety of it. With a soft laugh, she drew her tail back within the tree and carefully stood. Perhaps company, even at this hour, wouldn't be such a bad thing. She began to formulate a plan in her head as he came closer. It wasn't the best, but it would be amusing.

The closer he drew,the further back she hid in the shadow of the Oak's hollow. The moment he arrived in front of the tree, however, she planned to jump out at him.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 12:07am — MarQuee
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It didn't matter how many

It didn't matter how many times he passed the Oak, the haunting, relentless song it sang troubled him. Usually his uneasiness was curbed when he passed it, as it would usually still be light out when he passed to head home, but this time, the darkness of night beat him in the race. His ears drew back and his posture shrank as he grew near it. He ignored his trembling knees. He passed, exposed to its gaping, dark maw.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 12:20am — cloudandis
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About ready to pounce on the

About ready to pounce on the unsuspecting stranger, the doe felt herself unable to do so. He was trembling. Riddled with fear. His frame was just barely coming into view because he was moving so slowly. As he came into full view, she quietly, slowly approached. the first thing to appear was her face- a glowing white complexion, fading out of the shadow of the tree's hollow. She took a few steps forward, cautiously. Slowly. He was like a rabbit. At first, she didn't speak. Her ears became erect, directing themselves towards him intently.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 12:39am — MarQuee
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He picked up on the movement,

He picked up on the movement, and turned his head towards the pale glow of a face emerging from the viscous shadows of the Oak's entrance. He jumped back several feet, his ears alert, a fearful expression was covered by the smiling mask. It was then he registered that this was the face of another forest dweller, and not a specter from the hollow Oak.
"By the gods..." He said, relaxing. "I thought everyone else was asleep...!"
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 12:48am — cloudandis
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She chuckled softly at his

She chuckled softly at his response. "I have slept far too long to require it tonight." the deericorn replied, stepping out a little further. Yes, it would have been a bad idea to scare him more than this. "Much as my earlier intention was to play with your fear, I do not believe I want to make it so crippling." she stated, using a hoof to gesture to his calmer form. Her tail thumped rather happily on the ground, disturbing dirt, rock, grass- and any little critters hiding down below. She paused, looking him over curiously. He was only expressive as far as his voice- with the mask, she could not read his face. "As an appology... my name is Sabel. Who are you?"
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 1:02am — MarQuee
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"Silas. Silas Djiin. It's a

"Silas. Silas Djiin. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sabel." His voice now fit the face of his mask. His mood seemed to have very quickly gone from fear to comfortableness. His ears were now relaxed, and he paced in place. "Usually I would be home around now, but I fell asleep in the flowers over there. I can't find it in me to sleep either!"
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 1:20am — cloudandis
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The smile on her face seemed

The smile on her face seemed to lessen just a bit at his mention of sleep, but it remained. The glimmer in her eyes softened a bit, and her tail became still. "I certainly hope you know how long you've slept. Sleep can be worrisome, here." she replied, eyeing his mask once more. Despite the darkness, she had a much clearer view of it. The eyes were wide with wonder, yet evenly expressionless. Bright, luminous orbs. How could he see, without any eye-holes? Perhaps there were slits somewhere.

"Ah, the lavender flowers. That is what I prefer to call them, at least... their colors are lovely, and their scent is light in the air. Nothing in comparison to the blue bowl though. I'm sure it looks even better in the moonlight." Sabel continued, her ears twitching at the sudden change in his voice. Much like his mask, he was not easily readable. The doe's silver-grey eyes focused on his mask in contemplation. But asking about it... base don his demeanor... no, it wasn't a good idea. "You know, you would find it surprising how many creatures wander around at night. My sleep has been quite disturbed as of late, so I have been witnessing it."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 1:32am — MarQuee
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"Creatures?" He tilted his

"Creatures?" He tilted his head, confused. "Deer? I'm sure some of us prefer the night..." His voice seemed to falter in that last statement, as if dwelling on some sad memory. "Or perhaps you mean other creatures, the kind we wouldn't see during the day..?"
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 1:32am — MarQuee
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"Creatures?" He tilted his

"Creatures?" He tilted his head, confused. "Deer? I'm sure some of us prefer the night..." His voice seemed to falter in that last statement, as if dwelling on some sad memory. "Or perhaps you mean other creatures, the kind we wouldn't see during the day..?"
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 1:41am — cloudandis
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She chuckled a bit at this.

She chuckled a bit at this. "I have noticed that more commonly, deer with claws and fangs- other strange things- come out more often at night." the doe explained, attempting to find the right words. "And then there are other things. Things so strange, powerful, and fast that they seem god-like. But I haven't seen any recently." she continued, her voice carrying some interest in the subject. She had noticed his voice lower and crack slightly, but had not decided to pay it enough mind to bring it up. It was... not her business to ask a stranger about something sounding so mournful. She glanced off to the side, slightly distracted by her thoughts. The fireflies that had been nearing the Old Oak when the stag had earlier approached were long gone, back to their little flock of friends in the distance.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 2:00am — MarQuee
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"Do you stay up at night

"Do you stay up at night often? I don't think I've seen you around before.." He questioned. "You look... different from the deer I usually see.. n-not that that's a bad thing, I was just curious--!" He stammered, embarrassed and afraid that he insulted his new acquaintance in some way.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 2:06am — cloudandis
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At his stuttering, her smile

At his stuttering, her smile became a very meek, cheeky grin. "For better or for worse, I am here." was her reply. Her voice, though it was as friendly as her all around features, held a slight hint of amusement. He sounded considerate, but in an overly thoughtful way. She remembered feeling like that. How unfortunate. His best traits were probably hidden under this, though she had no need to dig them up.

"Only recently. I have lived in this forest for my entire life, but the fact that you do not know me... " she trailed off, chuckling. "To explain this... as I said, my sleep has been disturbed. But only because I have slept too long. Long enough for it to be autumn in another year."

His softness and shyness with reacting was overwhelmingly melting. but it only made the deer wonder, what could have made him like this? If they ran into one another more often, and she didn't... sleep, perhaps she would find out.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 2:23am — MarQuee
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"I've never heard of a deer

"I've never heard of a deer sleeping so long.. Were you sick? You seem alright.." His voice returned to normality. "perhaps it's forest magic?"
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 2:33am — FishBiscuit

tracking track

tracking track
August 30, 2015 - 2:35am — cloudandis
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"Perhaps. I'm alright, so I

"Perhaps. I'm alright, so I am certain it was not a sickness."
She became quiet, her eyes flicking back and forth between the trees and her new Acquaintance. There was no need for such paranoia. But perhaps there were things less friendly than herself lurking around tonight. She turned to face him again, shaking dirt clumps out of her hooves. "You said you were heading somewhere earlier. Would you mind if I walked you there?" the doe asked, her grin reverting back to that rather softly placed smile. "It might do us good- to get a good walk in." she added, her tail swaying back and forth in anticipation. "I'm not sure staying stationary will help with sleeping issues."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 2:43am — MarQuee
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"Ah, yes, I stay at the

"Ah, yes, I stay at the Ruins.." He said, snapping out of a spell of thought. He wondered how long he had lain asleep exposed to strange creatures of the night, and if these creatures saw him as a fun-sized venison meal or a diurnal brother. "I don't mind the company. Not at all!" He turned in the direction of the ruins.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 2:48am — cloudandis
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"You seem rather nervous. Are

"You seem rather nervous. Are you disturbed?" she asked, questioning the stutter in his voice and his rather jittery pool of emotions. Perhaps he was afraid of the dark? But then, it was senseless to assume. Perhaps this wouldn't be something unfortunate to inquire. After all, clouds had drifted within the moon's visage- preventing even more light from guiding them. If this kept up, they might end up relying on the fireflies. "there is nothing wrong with fear. Sometimes, it can be your only warning."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 2:57am — MarQuee
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"I'm alright, I'm just not

"I'm alright, I'm just not used to the night. It might sound silly of me to say... It leaves me to my thoughts. Sometimes I wish I could sleep too long." He chuckled lightly. "The sun lets me see the beauty of the forest, but the moon isn't strong enough to keep evils at bay. Perhaps I simply need a change of perspective."
He looked up to the mysterious doe as they walked. "Thank you for accompanying me."
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 3:06am — cloudandis
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Was this deer from this

Was this deer from this forest? it was an odd question. But the first one that came to her mind when he said he was not used tot he night. It reminded her or a deer she had met earlier in the same day. Yet, he did not seem bothered by the Old Oak and how its voice seemed to rumble through everything. So perhaps not. "Thoughts are only a bit much, if you choose to think." she mused, keeping a steady and slow pace with Djinn. What a curious name, as well. it also sounded relatively familiar... as if she had heard it elsewhere. "Evil... I'm not sure if that's right. Bad things lurk everywhere. The light of day simply blankets them. And I suppose, it depends on who or what you are." Sabel stated, going over such perspectives in her thoughts. She was not too enveloped by them, however. The background noise of the Old Oak was beginning to fade away as they walked and gained distance. Suddenly, the other sounds of the night began to replace it. Much like what they spoke of.

"Your welcome. To be honest, I don't like to be alone very often."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 3:20am — MarQuee
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"Neither do I." He said. For

"Neither do I." He said. For a moment, there was silence other than the ambiance of the forest. The fireflies danced above the grass, which rippled in the cool evening breeze. As the low drone of the Oak grew farther and farther away, the nervous buck grew calmer. The eyes of his mask faintly glowed, not dissimilar to the fireflies. "Perhaps I should face the night more often, instead of being asleep beforehand. It's frightening, but beautiful. The light of day... You called it a blanket. With it gone, there's a new atmosphere. I recognize it, but I can't find a word for it. I suppose both day and night cover and reveal certain things about the forest.."
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 3:38am — cloudandis
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The breeze that brushed past

The breeze that brushed past them felt wonderful. it was refreshing, compared to the stillness around the Old Oak- brushing through Sabel's thick, dark mane and fur. her eyes followed some of the fireflies that were coming into contact with Djinn and herself, quietly lighting their way. "Indeed... a blanket that only wards off bad things with appearance and consequence. Yet, the shadows that surround us could be the same for night." she replied, laughing at the thought. "Though I have never seen anything truly terrible. It's almost as if danger and I were meant to be strangers forever."

Her pace was increasing- not in the sense to move past him, but rather, to encourage him to move faster. She skipped rather playfully on her hooves, rearing back and giving him a last second grin. As her fore hooves touched the earth again, she pushed off from the ground- speeding away. "You've got some energy, right? Keep up!" she called back, laughter left in her wake.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 3:46am — MarQuee
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For the moment, Silas was

For the moment, Silas was taken off guard, but a sideways grin came across his face, not that it could be seen. He picked himself up and ran to catch up, laughing after her. He picked up enough speed to go past her a little bit. "I should say the same to you!"
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 4:03am — cloudandis
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Laughter and the heavy

Laughter and the heavy pounding of their hooves echoed through the trees, kicking up loose dirt, grass, and disturbing the bugs that were unprepared for this sudden ambush upon the terrain. Sabel's legs began to move faster, her stride lengthening to move further ahead of her competition. "Oh really?" she asked, her voice careening with amusement at his statement. She launched herself forward with her hind legs, landing ahead of him and picking up speed. Her tail wavered out behind her, the thick, long tuft at the end covering his mask.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 4:13am — MarQuee
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He lost his sight and

He lost his sight and footing, resulting in a trip-fall-roll. He picked himself up, laughing and shaking the dirt out of his mane and stretching his legs to make sure nothing was hurt. He looks around to find which way Sabel went.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 4:19am — cloudandis
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In all of their fun, they had

In all of their fun, they had reached the ruins. After her distraction, Sabel had taken this opportunity to hide behind one of the large stone walls- near, but not inside of, the pit within the ruins. She was giggling and snickering to herself, peeking over the wall to see if her companion has managed to follow. Her ears were lowered to prevent him from noticing her presence, but her tail lay loosely out to the side, flopping on the ground rather happily. "Told you so..." she whispered rather childishly.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 4:25am — MarQuee
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He looked around for a

He looked around for a moment, and spotted the tail. He snickered quietly and played the part. "Sabel...? Where did you go?!" He walked into the ruins, and acted as if he couldn't find her, being silly and looking beneath small rocks and tufts of grass, as if she could shrink to a size small enough to hide there.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 4:39am — cloudandis
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Sabel held her hooves up to

Sabel held her hooves up to her face, trying to stifle her laughter as she peeked over the wall. 'How cute. He can't find me?' she thought, rolling over silently as her body trembled with a time bomb of laughter that would explode at any minute. Carefully, she prepared to pounce on him. Her body was lowered to the ground, belly brushing up against smooth stone just before she launched herself off of it like a spring. The doe leapt up over the wall, heading straight for Djinn.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 4:42am — MarQuee
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He cried out in 'surprise,'

He cried out in 'surprise,' and jumped back out of her way, prancing in a circle and laughing.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 5:05am — cloudandis
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Sabel's body was sent flying

Sabel's body was sent flying past her would-be-victim as he swiveled out of the way, her eyes wide with surprise as she rolled over on the dirt. She shook herself off, stumbling up only to fall back down onto her hindquarters. She burst out laughing, the doe's eyes tearing up. "Ahahaaha! And I was supposed to catch you off gaurd!" she chuckled, her tail loudly thumping on the ground. She wiped her face with her forearm, watching it with a grin. "Ah, so that was my betrayal..."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 5:10am — MarQuee
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Silas winked, chuckling. "The

Silas winked, chuckling. "The culprit has been revealed! Don't worry," he said, bringing a forehoof to his puffed out chest in mock pride. "Maybe one day you'll be as good as me."
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 6:06am — cloudandis
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((Sorry about the late reply,

((Sorry about the late reply, the page decided to take a while loading.
-

Her laughter began to die down, the doe carefully standing and shaking herself off. Oh, how he had such a playful ego. It was fascinating, too- to find someone who accepted her playing and did not tire out easily. This very rarely happened, but perhaps this was because she simply attracted others with less energy than herself. "Oh really? You really think so?" she asked in a false, excited voice. It resembled that of a fawn, innocent and believing. That is, without the belief. She flipped her head, her long mane moving out of the way as the doe giggled. "You're quite entertaining."

As her breathing became regulated and her body still, she let the sounds of the night... and him... fill her ears, which twitched back and forth as they listened and watched the world around her. Her focus left him for the ruins they had made the trip to get to. They were covered with so much more moss now- and perhaps, sleeping deer. She wondered- who inhabited it now? Where had its old inhabitants gone? Were they still here?

This brought to mind a brief encounter with a deer named Raptor. He had also been quite playful, though lost in his past. But he was gone now. He had vanished... gone. Much like her parents.
She did not allow her expression to become lost in thought this time, nor her eyes to soften with distance. she stood resolute, alert. 'It is not wise to dwell on things that make your heart ache.' Sabel reminded herself.

"So you live here? Do you remember for how long you have?" she asked curiously, sitting down.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 6:25am — MarQuee
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{It's okay, I understand.

{It's okay, I understand. ^^}

"I've been living here since my antlers only had two points. I left a lot behind, and found solace here." His voice had grown softer. He didn't seem to have the same philosophy about what to dwell on. It was clear he was trying to hide some wounds that hadn't quite healed, even after all this time later. "Back then, the day was foreign to me. It's changed since then, just a distant memory."
He remained standing, staring at the statues and headstones scattered along the outer perimeters of his home.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 6:35am — cloudandis
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(( I'm glad to hear that. c:

(( I'm glad to hear that. c: ))

-

So he had been here since a young age.... how perplexing. But not his entire life? It was rare to find others who came from distant lands- and even rarer to find those who had no spent their entire childhood here. Her silver-grey eyes carefully watched his mask. Though she could not see his expressions, his voice betrayed much of what he seemed to be feeling. Or perhaps, even this was simply a vague window into his emotions. 'This is all too familiar.' The doe thought to herself. Raptor had also had a hard time expressing himself, hiding behind a mask. 'How unfortunate.'

"I suppose your habits have changed. It..." she stopped herself. Not again. He would speak of his mask if he wished to. 'yet it was so tempting. so fascinating to ask.' "It's normal. My sleeping habits have made certain times a sudden foreignness as well."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 6:43am — MarQuee
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"I've always been in this

"I've always been in this forest. When I was a fawn I lived where you were sleeping. That hum was my lullaby. Now it's fear inducing- a reminder of why I left that all behind, stayed here night after night, not willing to look others in the face." He shook his head. The time he had spent hiding in these ruins felt like an eternity, huddled beneath the abnormal stone structures of a ghost land that had been swallowed by the forest.
"But the gods made a way for me. I don't have to hide any more. I'm thankful for that." His voice remained soft, but now resolute, almost determined, as if he was forcing himself to be thankful. He shook his head. "I'm not sure why I'm burdening you with such talk... I suppose the night is revealing hidden things of my own."
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 6:55am — cloudandis
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"Where I was sleeping...."

"Where I was sleeping...." Sabel repeated, thinking. Yes, he probably thought she had been sleeping within the tree rather than plotting to playfully ambush him. But that was not directly important right now. He seemed to be reminiscing. Remembering pain. "I have known the tree's song to be a nightmare for some, though I do not truly know why. All I know is that like you, they showed signs of going through something terrible. Something I could never fully understand." said the deer, curling her tail around her hooves as she sat and watched Djinn, a calm expression replacing her smile. It was unreadable. No furrowed brow, no gleam in her eyes. Just... watching.

"It is not a burden for one to listen. It is only a burden if their mind is clouded with others."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 7:02am — MarQuee
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Silas's eyes remained on the

Silas's eyes remained on the ruins, the smile on his mask a severe contrast. "I spent each night praying, wanting to return to the sun, and eventually my prayers were answered.. now I wonder if this is a curse instead of a blessing." He laughed under his breath halfheartedly. "I was younger then, dumber. I prayed with short sight."
He turned towards Sabel. "Is that where you live? The Oak?"
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 7:18am — cloudandis
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"Yes. I was born there, and

"Yes. I was born there, and it seems that I had lived in my own little world. A safeness. I did not leave that tree, nor explore beyond it and the pond, until I was in adolescence. I am not quite sure why, but when I tried to explore further, I found myself back in those two places." Sabel replied with a shrug. "Before I was able to leave, I thought that was all the world was. A drinking hole, and a large tree."
Her brows furrowed as she thought on the concept of prayer. it was common, here in the forest where the Twin Gods watched over all. Yet she had never found the need to ask them for anything- as somehow, she evaded any mishaps or joyless moments. She never found herself in danger or wishing for more. So why ask for such a situation to change? Djinn was her complete opposite. He had worries and unfortunate things to dwell on. His mind was clouded with worry. "If prayer changed your situation, but not for the better, are you sure further prayers would do the same?" she asked softly, edging a little closer. She tilted her head, leaning in to look directly at his mask- at him. "Do you wish for change, even at the risk of it being worse?"

—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 7:34am — MarQuee
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"I stopped praying years ago.

"I stopped praying years ago. I've spent a lot of time since then wondering whether I should or not. I gained what I prayed for, but lost something in return. It's as if I'm destined to have one thing and not the other. I live in the sunlight again, but my face will never be touched by the rays. I live with others, but I live in fear. My true face will only see the darkness, at least for now." He breaks his gaze from the deericorn. "I almost wonder if this is a test, or if it were even a god at all. But then I remember him... And I know it was a being beyond my understanding."
Within a collection of hazy memories, one remained clear. A memory of rising from prayer to find... him... standing between Silas and the twin statues. A being whose coat shone like the moon itself, and the moss decorating his antlers, which were long with countless points. So long that the ends had tangled and connected. The one who bestowed him with the tool to return him to the sun, to heal him of his isolation and fear.
The one who gave him the mask.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 7:47am — cloudandis
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As the stag explained his

As the stag explained his mask's origins, and his uncertainty with faith, she found his words etching themselves into her mind. Cost. Everything cost something. Time cost age, and vice versa. Plucking a flower cost its life. And his prayers, though they gave him what he wanted, did not give it to him for free. Yet, what did he mean by his other statements? His face could not see the light of day- but why? A strange being had given him the mask to answer his prayers. He was able to see and know others, but not without fearing something. Was this also because of such a strange being? it made her question if asking for such gifts truly outweighed one's past cons in life.

She watched as his head slightly shifted, and she could no longer feel to intensity of his eyes burning into her own subconsciously. On instinct, she drew back into her sitting position- as if dismissed. "Test or not, I truly believe that one can only look foreward. though bad things happen, there is no changing them. And unless you can truly change them... it is not a good idea to let them remain so heavy in your heart." she stated. "From what you display, continuing to linger on these things only causes further sadness. Perhaps this is because I have never experienced such strong emotions..." she continued, beginning to anticipate something. Anger... lashing out. This anticipation felt familiar. "...why do you hold it so tightly to yourself? As if it were your very life?"
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 7:57am — MarQuee
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"The daylight blocks out the

"The daylight blocks out the shadows that are always there. I'll still remain afraid, but the mask... it helps somehow. There is no enchantment, no forest magic. It's just a mask, and yet it's allowed me to do more than my actual face let me accomplish. My own fear of vulnerability, visibility. Whoever said that the eyes are the window to the soul... They weren't wrong." He dug the tip of his hoof into the ground, watching it break up the earth. "If I left the mask... the risk of returning to the night... I don't think I'd make it back again, no matter how many times I prayed. It's a fight between the loneliness and fear that have divided me."
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 8:15am — cloudandis
cloudandis's picture

Despite his situation, her

Despite his situation, her earlier feeling of pity seemed to leave. She had been alone for many years- the thought process of 'I'll probably never see them again.' becoming normal. Yet she found that new faces every few years held much happiness- even if events repeated and recycled. Even if she could not always remedy their situation. "If it helps, I am glad for its existence. For I fear that no matter my feelings, my only assistance unto you is play, and lending an ear should you require it." the doe stated, her eyes traveling away from him to glance at the world around them. it had grown comfortably humid and damp, and a fog was setting in- though the moon was no longer being shrouded by the clouds. She turned, giving the stag a warm smile. "Perhaps you can make it back, with a little help."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 8:21am — MarQuee
MarQuee's picture

"Someday, I want to leave the

"Someday, I want to leave the mask." Silas nodded. He smiled back, invisibly, but it was easily traced in his voice. "And with help, I can. Thank you for listening to me. It's not often I speak about things like this, but I feel like I can trust you."
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 8:45am — cloudandis
cloudandis's picture

"Someday you might end up

"Someday you might end up parting with it, whether you want to or not." the doe replied, almost as if she were correcting him. She chuckled at his finally statement, however. "I'm not sure why, but putting your faith in me seems very... funny?" she mused, standing and prancing in a circle out of amusement. "I trust you too, Djinn. I trust your happiness." Sabel added, meandering over to him and nuzzling him gently. It was more of a way to comfort him, to console him and confirm that she had listened. She let her chin rest on top of his head, humming a little. She was mentally exhausted. Perhaps from contemplating so much philosophy. glancing off to the side, she watched the ruins with some interest. "Where do you sleep? Despite being here many times, I do not know all who rest here. And if I should try to find you, it would be pleasant to know where I could begin looking."
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 8:54am — MarQuee
MarQuee's picture

"I sleep on the broken column

"I sleep on the broken column next to that cage," he answered, nodding on that direction. "I like to pretend its a pedestal or a throne. Makes me taller than most of the other deer my age." He laughed.
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance
August 30, 2015 - 9:07am — cloudandis
cloudandis's picture

OOC: Interacting with you

OOC: Interacting with you more often should prove interesting. c:

-
She chuckled at this. "Perhaps you are the crown resting upon the stone." she replied, lifting her head off of him. "I suppose that I'll keep my eye out for you, should I like a second visit. " she stated, patting him on the head with her tail. She took a few steps away, her ears flicking back and forth between him and the rest of the world. "I'm glad I joined you for a little walk. It was enlightening. If you should want to find me again, look at the Old Oak." she stated, casting him a sideways glance before trotting away. Her tail waved in farewell, trailing behind her contentedly as she wandered back into the trees.
—
Sabel, Sam

Image © Alhnna
August 30, 2015 - 9:18am — MarQuee
MarQuee's picture

{this was really great! I

{this was really great! I look forward to future interaction! I think they'll be interesting as well. ^^}
—

icon art @ hadoukin
signature art @ kujance