Waiting on the sky to change
Tundra, Halo - for Noah
Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
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Posts: 1,869 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#1
The funeral was over and the rebuilding had begun. Time was beginning to move again - for some, at least - but the sheer scale of what had changed was still sinking in. Never an extroverted young man, Tal had withdrawn further since the fight for the gates; efficient, getting the work done that needed doing, but speaking little and even then only to a few.

The brisk Leafchange morning after the funeral, with its dusting of fresh snow, found him in front of the ruined Gates. He had the small sled out today, and a four-dog team to pull it, and he'd let the guardsman know that he was heading out to do some hunting.

Not a usual past-time for the courier, but one he'd done more of since hanging around with Delia and Sah. And with all the aftermath of War to consider, the basic necessities of life in Halo didn't stop: they would still need meat for the winter. It needed doing, that was all, and the numb, quiet young man went about getting it done with the same distant, methodical efficiency that he'd used to prepare the funeral pyre.

Noah
Noah Olson
the Forsaken
Hunter

Age: 34 | Height: 6'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 9 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 47 - Endr: 46 - Luck: 47 - Int: 1
EIRA - Mythical - Griffin (Venom) VI’ADORE - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Time Offline
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Posts: 2,012 | Total: 2,366
MP: 1005
#2
Noah was surprised when he passed a guard and they told him of Tal going out just a little before him. Noah raised a brow, interested in the courier's work. Though he was sure the man had learned some skills along the way, having lived in Halo his whole life, Noah knew it was not his normal vocation to be the one to cull luxere or moose or caribou off the tundra. Hoping to catch up with him, Noah shifted into his massive polar bear frame and followed the tracks of the sled. Eira took to the sky, helping Noah pinpoint where Talyson was heading, and keep her golden eyes peeled for the dragon companion.

In the distance, Noah could see the sled. The snow falling from the sky started to whip around him, and the polar bear pressed his neck straight and increased his speed. While he wasn't as quick as the dogs that pulled the Seawright, he had closed some distance between them. He hoped it was enough to catch the man's attention.

Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,869 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#3
Eira would spot Boreal first, though the pale dragon was well-camouflaged against the pale snowy clouds of the Leafchange sky. She paced her companion high overhead, lookout for a herd or lonely straggler he could hone his rudimentary skills and his god-given weapon on.

Curving back on an updraft to gain a little more height, she spotted Eira in return and warbled a greeting to the gryphon before angling her wings down to pass the message along to the courier. Tal slowed the team and turned to glance over his shoulder, eyes widening at the sight of a giant white bear loping towards him. It was hard to convince himself to come to a stop and wait for that predator's approach, trusting implicitly to Boreal's assurance that it was an Attuned and not a hungry beast heading his way.

It was harder to convince the sled team to slow their run, but his lead dog trusted him and Boreal both and she brought the others to a halt as Tal set the snowbrake and turned to face his - he hoped - former Warden with a resigned uncertainty and no clear idea of what could have set the older man on his track today except another tragedy back in the Citadel.

"Noah? Is that you?"
Noah Olson
the Forsaken
Hunter

Age: 34 | Height: 6'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 9 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 47 - Endr: 46 - Luck: 47 - Int: 1
EIRA - Mythical - Griffin (Venom) VI’ADORE - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Time Offline
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Posts: 2,012 | Total: 2,366
MP: 1005
#4
It was mid-stride that the man shifted back to himself, his feet moving quickly to catch himself from falling before slowing to a jog. He closed the distance between him and Talyson and his team then. "I was worried about you being out here on your own, with the state of things." Noah admitted. "The guards told me you had headed out for a hunt, so I followed your sled tracks rather then head out on my own venture."

Deimos had told him that the Fangs had collapsed, and that only meant the tundra was even more dangerous than it always had been. The dragons that survived no longer had caves to hide in; the giants that made it out of the demolition were certainly hungrier than ever. "Sometimes its better to hunt with a partner, anyway." Noah offered a smile. He didn't want Talyson to feel as though he needed babysitting -- after his work defending the Citadel, that was certainly untrue -- but Noah was sincere in his worry.

Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,869 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#5
The scars beneath his shirt ached in memory as the bear drew closer, but when it began to shrink and shift and take on the familiar, dark-haired features of Vi's demigod Tal finally relaxed and leaned surreptitiously on the handle of the sled. The dogs were far more honest; their growls shifting to whines of confusion and then tentative wags as the bear went away.

Most people would have put the young man's hackles up with such an admission; Tal was still getting used to the idea of someone other than his sisters worrying about him, and there were few he could accept it from still.

But Noah was one of his heroes. Hunter. Demi-god. Former Warden. It was no blow to the courier's pride for him to be worried about one of his people, and Tal only reached up to rub the back of his neck a little uncomfortably as he nodded.

"I heard it was proper fucked out here, uh, sir," he agreed bluntly with a grimace behind his scarf. Just because he had magic to protect him from the cold didn't stop him from bundling up properly. One never knew when magic would fail, as it had during the War. "Figured I could do some scouting an' maybe bring back some meat. Two ningos, one stone, yeah?" Three ningos, if he was being honest about his desire for solitude. But even in the numbness of the War's aftermath he wasn't foolish away to turn down Noah's well-meant and practical help.

"I'm not much good at trackin', yet," he admitted after a moment's hesitation. "Delia was tryin' t'teach me before... everythin'... but..." He shrugged a little helplessly, unsure how to explain the emotional turmoil that had preceded the War and certain that he didn't want to waste a demigod's valuable time with it. "If you've got tips, I'm all ears."
Noah Olson
the Forsaken
Hunter

Age: 34 | Height: 6'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 9 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 47 - Endr: 46 - Luck: 47 - Int: 1
EIRA - Mythical - Griffin (Venom) VI’ADORE - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Time Offline
Change author:
Posts: 2,012 | Total: 2,366
MP: 1005
#6
Before Noah had become a member of Morgan's council, no one in Halo called him sir. Now it was such a common occurrence from having served in the frozen city's government for so long. When it came out of Tal's mouth, however, Noah chuckled some. The courier's discomfort was not lost on the demigod, even though Noah chose not to call any attention to it.

{b]\"Good idea. With our help of eyes in the sky, we may be able to bring something home pretty substantial.\"[/say} The hunter grinned Eira, above them and circling carefully, let out a light hoot in agreement. The white griffin flapped her wings and caught a warm (for Halo) draft to rise higher up on. Golden eyes shifted to the dragon and another soft hoot called for the other companion to join her.

Noah set off the way the the griffin headed, beckoning Tal with a wave of his arm behind him.

Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,869 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#7
Boreal was as pale as the sea ice her egg had been found on; a match for the white griffin in coloration, at least. She was also a laid-back and generally cheerful soul, and she returned Eira's hoot with a smoky chortle as she followed along and caught the updraft as well.

Tal nodded jerkily to Noah's optimism, a little bemused at the sudden turn the day had taken but quietly glad of the hunter's expertise. He kicked the snow brake up on the sled and hupped softly to Bell to start the team pulling while he pushed and ran from behind. Noah would get a good head-start on him, but once the sled shook off its inertia the empty basket fairly flew over the Leafchange hardpack and Tal hopped onto the runner's with a practiced skip. He glanced up at the companions to check their direction, then angled the sled to keep pace beside Noah.

"Can I, uh... can I ask what it was like? In the Draig?" he called over, sneaking a glance at the demigod.
Noah Olson
the Forsaken
Hunter

Age: 34 | Height: 6'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 9 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 47 - Endr: 46 - Luck: 47 - Int: 1
EIRA - Mythical - Griffin (Venom) VI’ADORE - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Time Offline
Change author:
Posts: 2,012 | Total: 2,366
MP: 1005
#8
As they moved on, Noah lifted his brow at Talyson's question, but nodded anyway. The hunter wasn't afraid to share what had happened to them. The others that had been involved in the battles here were ready to give the details. [say]"I think if I wasn't so focused on what we were there for, I would have been able to see how beautiful the Draig was."[/say] Noah started, his eyes turning back ahead to keep them on the path that Eira showed him.

He talked about the Court of the Fallen, and the battle that they needed to wage, of the scars and damage inflicted, how he had pulled his comrades from the Core's illusions, and how Remi pulled the Core from Caido and saved them all -- and, in the blink of an eye, how it was all over and they were home. The details were quite dry, but the tone of Noah's voice gave the emotions he wasn't able to describe with words.

It was the most terrifying event Noah had ever experienced, and he wouldn't ever forget the feelings of it. The way the dragon writhed beneath him as he constricted it. How his heart raced when he opened his eyes and looked upon Caido. How he felt when it was all over, relieved and weightless and cold.

Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,869 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#9
Tal listened quietly as the story unfolded and it did nothing to mitigate his awe of the hunter-turned-demigod, no matter how matter-of-factly the details were presented. There would be epic songs composed about that battle, and legends stitched together with suitable hyperbole to stretch into a week-long tale to be told during Halovian LongNights in the years to come. For now, though, Tal simply soaked in the words and imagined the clash of magics and weapons and abilities as far beyond him as a fully grown white dragon was beyond Boreal.

"So... what happens now?" Because if anyone would have the answers, surely Noah would - in Tal's very high opinion of the man, at least. "The Voice an' Core an' whatever are gone an' Caido is... what? Awake? Back? Or just goin' back t'sleep now?" Maybe gods needed to heal after such an ordeal, too?

High overhead Boreal rumbled an alert to Eira, angling her wings to indicate a faint trail in the snow far below. Hoof prints, but staggered. A lone animal moving across the Tundra, and recently enough that the prints hadn't filled in with blown snow yet.
Noah Olson
the Forsaken
Hunter

Age: 34 | Height: 6'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 9 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 47 - Endr: 46 - Luck: 47 - Int: 1
EIRA - Mythical - Griffin (Venom) VI’ADORE - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Time Offline
Change author:
Posts: 2,012 | Total: 2,366
MP: 1005
#10
"That's the question we're all asking." Noah frowned slightly. "None of us know. When Remi pulled the Core out everything went dark, and we came home. It was like we just knew that was the next right answer, even with all the questions we all had." Eira followed the alert of the dragon, her golden eyes flashing the image to her bondmate. Noah adjusted his course again, and lifted his hand to point out the tracks to Talyson. "That way." The hunter then pulled his bow from his torso, an arrow from his quiver, and readied for an assault.

The wind blew in their favor, it seemed, as far as Noah could observe. The tracks led away, and the wind was blowing straight at them. It would carry their scent far and out, away from the hooved animal they followed -- either a small reindeer, or a luxere, the hunter decided, based on the prints.
Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,869 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#11
Okay, maybe expecting Noah to have all the answers wasn't fair to the older man, but a courier could dream, couldn't he? And maybe there was something to be said for not bothering the biggest, oldest god of them all after They'd just woken up with an Ascended god-parasite in their chest. Was their a godly equivalent of coffee? Questions Tal wisely kept behind his teeth as he glanced down at the tracks and nodded. They were flashing past fast enough that it was hard to get a good look at them, but the dogs had caught the scent and were pulling with renewed vigor.

Tal let the conversation fade away as they focused on their task, eyes peeled for their prey, and soon enough at the pace they held there was a dark dot crusting a roll in the snowfields ahead of them. It was too bright to see if the antlers were glowing from their current distance, but as the gap closed the details of the luxere came into focus and Tal transferred his Special Delivery knife into his hand, glancing over to Noah for the hunter's signal to attack.
Noah Olson
the Forsaken
Hunter

Age: 34 | Height: 6'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 9 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 47 - Endr: 46 - Luck: 47 - Int: 1
EIRA - Mythical - Griffin (Venom) VI’ADORE - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Time Offline
Change author:
Posts: 2,012 | Total: 2,366
MP: 1005
#12
Silence fell over the two of them and Noah appreciated it. Part of him had wondered if he would need to tell Talyson to be quiet as they got closer to the prey they searched for. It seemed, though, that the courier had enough understanding of a hunt to not talk away the game.

Noah slowed as the glowing antlers became apparent. He noted Tal's knife. Eira circled above the luxere, too high for the creature to see her. Though the wind was in their favor, Noah's curiosity piqued as they came upon the gentle beast close enough that surely it could see them. The mental ping caused Eira to tilt her wings and lower just enough to make out what was happening. A small crack in the ice was the culprit. Noah stopped and lifted his hand to Tal, "It's stuck." He whispered.
Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,869 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#13
Tal had spent the majority of his adult life alone on the Tundra with only his dogs and dragon for regular company. Silence came easier to him than speech - as those who had heard him put his foot in his mouth could attest to. Now, so soon after the War and with the deaths of the Shields so fresh in his thoughts he was even less voluble than usual. Even the dogs ran quietly, though there was no disguising the shushing of the runners over the snow.

Boreal mirrored Eira's circle, watching the luxere below with draconic interest while the deer hung its head, panting puffs of heavy smoke into the Leafchange air. Something wasn't right...

And as they came close enough to see why the creature had stopped, Tal grimaced in sympathy. "Leg's broke," he whispered back as they came to a halt, nodding to the unnatural angle the foreleg caught in the crack had bent at. "I'm gonna put it out of its misery." He glanced to Noah for permission first, then hopped off the sled and began to stalk towards the wounded creature from behind, fingers wrapped tightly around his dagger. The luxere's ear twitched and it shifted uneasily, but there was nowhere for it to run, and before Tal got in range of a kick from its hind legs he stepped to the side and brought his dagger up to cut swiftly at the air in front of him.

Ten feet away, blood suddenly sprayed from a clean slash in the side of the luxere's neck and it let out a lowing sigh as it threw up its head and jerked before subsiding slowly to the snowy ground, a red pool growing beneath it.
Noah Olson
the Forsaken
Hunter

Age: 34 | Height: 6'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 9 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 47 - Endr: 46 - Luck: 47 - Int: 1
EIRA - Mythical - Griffin (Venom) VI’ADORE - Mythical - Unicorn (Healing)
Played by: Time Offline
Change author:
Posts: 2,012 | Total: 2,366
MP: 1005
#14
”swiftly.” Noah instructed, though as the hunter watched, it was a command that Tal didn’t need. Noah waited near the sled as the courier stalled forward. Noah knew he could no longer soothe the athletes that pulled the sled with his attuned nature, but the inward push within him came all the same.

Eira screeched overhead and darted out of her circle — her tail lashing out at Boreal to follow as she passed the pale dragon. Noah surged forward as the luxere fell to the icy ground, though it was Eira he focused on. Her call was one of alert. There was more.

It took only seconds for the luxere stag to come into view — large and broad and angry. ”Tal!” Noah called out before sending his celestial dome to cover them. The stag groaned and skidded, and Eira swooped down and beat her massive wings in its face. Tucking it’s chin and swaying it’s antlers, the stag swirled around and turned to run. A fight against two men, a dragon, and a griffin did not seem like a wise idea even though rage at the death of its comrade ran through its veins.


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