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Post by Red Charge on Apr 9, 2012 16:48:50 GMT -5
Starling arrived with pinpoint punctuality. No, he did not make a habit of arriving early to places, nor the habit of being late. He arrived precisely on time and not a moment before. How he managed this despite not carrying any kind of watches? Well it was anypony's guess. And so it was that he arrived precisely on time to the verge of the woods, in all of it's seasonal glory. The trees were brilliantly green, flowers all around him bloomed in vibrant colors, the air carrying their fresh scent through the woods. The small, clear hill he had arrived on was only occupied by a singing bird scrounging for worms. Like a brilliant painting, the woods spread before him.
Now all that was left was to spy for that one white spot that would be Ivory Flash. Though that dream he had while dozing off yesterday still prickled at the back of his head, Starling put it aside and concentrated on having fun. After all, he would soon be sent for to return to Canterlot with his reports.
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Post by ivoryflash on Apr 11, 2012 8:43:44 GMT -5
Ivory Flash wasn't late to arrive - Just a few minutes behind him, really. She'd have been here just about the same time he was if she hadn't struggled to find a spare bottle of potion to put on so she could go out in the sun, she really hadn't noticed she was out until she was just about to leave.
Alas, she'd found her last spare bottle and decided it was imperative she went to the local apothecary after this walk. And she convinced herself on the way over - It was just a walk. Not a date, not anything more. That's the only reason she was doing this - It was a walk.
Drawing in a deep breath, she exhaled softly as she continued down the path that led to Whitetail Woods, a simple skirt covering her flank and a summery cloth saddlebag hanging across her back. As she neared, it took her but a moment to spot starling, at which point she picked up the pace a bit and caught up to him.
"I apologize for being a b-bit late. I hope I didn't k-keep you waiting too long." She stated, offering Starling an apologetic smile.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 11, 2012 13:55:56 GMT -5
"No worries, I only just got here." He said with a smile. Ivory would almost immediately notice that he was wearing his armor's shoes and barding, all hydraulics connected. Though he was not wearing the full set, but only the parts necessary for the hydraulic system, he seemed ready for anything. He also seemed much healthier than he did the day before. Almost unnaturally so.
"You look great. We picked a good time to take a walk here, look how pretty it is." He extended a hoof to gesture at the blossoming environment. He was unable to suppress a grin at the vista. He missed the sun, and the flowers... So much life... But something in him also despised it, so cheery, so fake, so unknowing of the truth of the world. Phony. Illusion.
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Post by ivoryflash on Apr 12, 2012 17:48:53 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm glad!" Ivory responded when hearing she hadn't arrived much later than he had, blinking several times when she saw his armors. She took a moment to stare at the hydraulic system in awe, tilting her head a bit as she circled him, looking it over.
"O-Oh my... You look much better than you did before-- A-And, your armor looks very.. strong! But is it necessary for such a simple thing as a walk?" She asked quietly, offering him an inquisitive glance.
"Ah, well-- Either way, you're right. It /is/ a beautiful day. It's practically calling for us!" Ivory smiled, gently jerking her head toward the trail as she started off, "Shall we?"
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 20, 2012 14:19:52 GMT -5
Starling joined her, beaming. The single part in the back of his mind that completely despised this seemed to fade back out of consciousness. He was happy, content, alive. Though some part of him despised himself for it, he felt greater now than he could ever remember. A swooping uplifting sensations as he took in the scents, sights and sounds of nature uplifted him. He never felt more grounded, yet it never felt so good.
"My armor is protection, if something happens, without my armor, I don't know how much use I'd be. I'm still not back in top shape." In truth, had she removed the barding from him, she would see that he was still quite emaciated, despite the large quantities of food he has been consuming over the past few days. He was, however, much better than before. His hair, once matted and dead looking was now lively and well groomed, his eyes brighter than ever, and the smile on his face, genuine and somewhat remorseless was ever present.
"When I was exchanging with the Griffins, I got partnered up with Styg, now the leader of the elite Dread-wings. She taught me all about griffin armor-crafting, hydraulics, mechanics. She taught me so much." Then his face sank slightly when he realized, "Wow I miss her. I guess I didn't remember I did." Though the statement was made more out of surprise than anything, he hoped ivory wouldn't deduce too much about his history with the female Griffin population. She was nervous enough as it was without feeling threatened by females he worked with in the past.
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Post by ivoryflash on Apr 23, 2012 18:25:51 GMT -5
"Ooh.. I see!" She remarked, offering him an apologetic smile, "Well, you may not be back in top shape, but you look much better than you did when I first saw you. And I'll help you get back into shape however I can, even if that means funding your sandwich runs." She giggled softly at her little joke, but was actually fairly serious about the offer.
As he explained further and spoke of relationships with female gryphon-kind, Ivory's cheeks darkened, and her nervousness began to return.
Of course, she deduced exactly what kind of relationship he had -- But that was alright! It made her a little nervous, but she didn't think of her relationship with Starling as anything beyond an acquaintanceship-- even if she did have a slight crush on him. She didn't expect this to be anything more, really.
Ivory simply smiled and nodded to what he was saying, glancing away toward the beautiful scenery that surrounded them.
"Well, it sounds like you two were very close. Perhaps you should start talking to her again?" Ivory asked, meaning what she said as nothing more than an idle comment.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 23, 2012 21:47:56 GMT -5
"Oh no, no... Styg and I had very... grave... disagreements about my commitment to Equestria. We had a big argument. Doubtful that we'll speak again." Starling said, a bit too cheerily, and once again it seemed so sink in that he was supposed to be sad about said fact. He shrugged it off and continued.
"And please, it is not a mare's job to give sandwiches to stallions. Despite what jokes run about nowadays. I prefer pasta anyway." He flashed her a grin and a friendly nudge. "So I ask this, when you tell your friends about this walk. How would you like to tell them it ended?"
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Post by ivoryflash on Apr 24, 2012 13:13:05 GMT -5
"I didn't mean it like that!" Ivory giggled, knowing the jokes full well; She then continued, "I only meant that I want to help you get into the best shape you can be before you have to leave, that's all." She mentioned, holding her skirt down as a breeze blew by, so it didn't flip up and show much.
As he asked her what he asked, Ivory blinked softly and stared ahead, as if contemplating it. They were much deeper into the forest now, and at a point where the trail was less worn and visible; It was very shadowed, but beautiful in how the light peeked through the leaves and shined light patterns down on the pair. The beautiful scenery was stealing her attention, and making it difficult to think of an answer; Yes, that was the reason....
"I-- Uh.. Well-- Maybe we--"
Crack!
A sudden snapping sound, like someone stepping on a twig, broke her concentration and startled her as she looked sharply to her left, blinking into the shadowed shrubbery.
"I thought I heard someone. --Hello?" She called, wondering if somepony had gotten lost.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 24, 2012 20:11:15 GMT -5
She could see a sillouette of a pony in the shadowed shrubbery. As she called out Starling pushed her behind him protectively. He could sense them still, faint though it was. There was more than one, but he couldn't tell how many there actually were, or where they were.
"Stay behind me, keep your eyes open." He instructed rigidly, twisting his arm and springing his hoof blade. "Out of the shadows!" He called, glaring at the pony silhouette. It did not respond to the command. A sudden aura of dread began to spread around them, and a foul, rotten smell.
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Post by ivoryflash on Apr 24, 2012 21:12:34 GMT -5
"Wha--" Ivory gasped as Starling pushed her behind him, blinking confusedly upon hearing the sharp tone of his voice.
"What's going--" Ivory paused, sniffing at the air. The gag-inducing, rotting stench hit her sensitive nose rather quickly, making her eyes widen, mouth latching shut. She shuddered softly, the sense of impending doom rattling her nerves like harsh winds rattled trees in the autumn, horn adopting just the faintest glow.
Her eyes darted side to side, trying her best to keep alert, despite a complete lack of combat capability.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 24, 2012 22:12:20 GMT -5
Something swept behind them, causing Starling to turn around instantly, maneuvering Ivory to stick close to him. There was definitely more than one. Before he could figure it out, however, two claws erupted from the ground, grabbing Ivory's hind legs and starting to drag her down forcefully into the earth.
Starling grabbed Ivory's front and hoisted as hard as he could. He wasn't at his peak strength, not even close. He couldn't beat the powerful pull Ivory was under. In the meanwhile the silhouette in the shadows began running towards them, and he could hear an ominous whistle in the sky. From her angle, Ivory could see something diving down towards them.
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Post by ivoryflash on Apr 24, 2012 22:21:13 GMT -5
A quiet squeak was given as Ivory was moved yet again, after something swept behind them - She leaned in close to Starling, her entire body quivering in fear now.
And then-- BAM. She felt something grab her hind legs, and a sharp shriek left her lungs as she was pulled down partially into the ground.
When her brain finally clicked, and she realized what was actually happening, Ivory unintentionally screamed right in Starling's face as he tried to keep her from going under, stark terror reflecting in her eyes as she panted.
It was then, the meager silver glow about her horn increased, spreading across her entire body, and jumped to Starling's. Quickly, her horn sparked, before bursting into a very bright, very blinding light!
In a flash of light, they were gone.
Well, invisible, actually. Still there, but completely invisible, save for a small floating cutie mark that briefly fluttered, before also vanishing. Although even while invisible, Ivory clutched onto Starling like no tomorrow, panting and whimpering as she attempted to kick the living daylights out of whatever was trying to drag her under, her eyes screwed closed just as tightly as they could be.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 24, 2012 22:28:20 GMT -5
Starling saw through Ivory what was dragging her down. It was hidden well in the shadows, he slowly ran his hoof along Ivory's side gently, trying to figure where her body ended to plan, when he finally reached the edge of her flank, he retrieved his hoof. Taking in a deep breath he moved to the side sharply, causing the mare to be turned to her back, but clearing the area where her flank was moments ago just long enough to send in a quick jab with his blade.
At once Ivory felt her legs being let go. It was not pain that caused the creature holding her to withdraw, but the fact that the strike came close to severing its head. Starling, still pulling with one hoof managed to pull her back and roll away with her, right before something crashed into where they were a moment ago. The invisibility won't fool their magical sight, he knew.
And Ivory could see them now. They were, by all impressions not supposed to be able to move at all. Much less as quickly as they did. The creature that swooped down from the sky must have been a griffin at some point. But for now it was a strange combination of flesh, metal and bones without resemblence to any living thing. From the shadows of the shrubbery emerged what must have been a unicorn, now a shambling mess of metal plated bones.
Starling quickly helped Ivory to her feet and continued retreating, not wanting to give the last, undead, the diamond dog an opprotunity to pull her under again. ivory could feel the scratches it left on her legs. They weren't deep, but they stung. "Are you alright?" Starling whispered in her ear urgently.
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Post by ivoryflash on Apr 24, 2012 22:44:50 GMT -5
"I don't know what's GOING ON!" Ivory cried as she retreated with him, breath quick with terror, face hot with humiliation of where his hooves had been a moment ago. But that could be later visited; Right now, running was good.
"Where are you?!" She panicked, glancing about frantically, not having realized what had happened yet, "I can't see you--ACK!" She cried out again as she bumped into him, kicking up dust as she tripped over herself, only to hastily scramble to her hooves and burst into a hasty retreat again.
Of course the stumble, having broken her fear-fueled concentration, made them spark once again as they became visible, her cutie mark flashing on her flank before vanishing again.
"Ow, Ow.." She spoke between pants, definitely feeling the cuts on her hind legs now that she had gotten dirt in them.
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Post by Red Charge on Apr 24, 2012 22:51:08 GMT -5
The three attackers however, having lost the element of surprise, seemed discourage. The griffon took off to the sky, disappearing against the sunlight, while the unicorn flashed and disappeared. The hole in the ground where the diamond dog was filled itself up, and once again they were alone.
It took Starling a few moments before he felt their presecne completely evaporate and sighed a sigh of relief. They must not have been powerful if they relied solely on the element of surprise. Either that or they recieved other orders.
"Alright, calm down now, they're gone." He said, hugging her close to him. "They're not going to hurt you now." He knew how frightening a first encounter with the undead could be. Multiplied a dozen times when it was in such a supposedly safe area, and without any preparation. He stroked her mane, eyes still searching for any clue that the enemy might be in the area. "You're gonna be fine." He broke off the short embrace, to inspect her injured legs.
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