Nieve [Aw]

[♔ Seleukoen Suibhne]

Seleukoen had found himself traveling along in the northernmost part of the north territories. He was walking at a moderately brisk pace, one that would carry him through the land without tiring him out too quickly. The pallid white male’s paws left deep imprints in the snow, and they were testaments to where he had been. With each step, it showed his progress through the foreign land from one edge to the other. And it also showed where he was going in the near future. The untraveled parts of the territory just called him to venture there, and so he did. Thus far, no one seemed to be around, and the lion did not detect scent markers. Either they had faded away over a long time, or had never been there at all. It honestly could be one or the other. Sel felt as if he could meander through the place without any trouble though, and could handle anything that happened along the way. He was a lion of a formidable stature, along with physical prowess, and he had the scars to prove it.

A low hum of curiosity vibrated the male’s vocal chords as he strolled along. His raspberry pink eyes searched to and fro, just seeing what he could see. This place seemed nice enough, somewhere that Seleukoen could grow to like exceedingly well eventually. Maybe he might even call it home should the circumstances actually work right in his favor. The land was chilly and cold, with the hush of winter covering it in a frosted blanket. A nod was an outward signal of pending approval, though there was still plenty of land to cover, and places to explore yet. His homeland was nothing like this, but sometimes change was good. Sometimes transition and alterations were part of life and growth. That all could change within the blink of an eye, but the likelihood was very slim from the looks of it.

The cream colored beast blended in quite well with his surroundings, especially because he was being dappled with lightly falling snow. Some of it would melt into the lion’s fur, while other flakes lie dormant on top of it. Sel gave a mighty shake of his body, sending a light spray of liquid into the air, just because he could. Since he was alone for the time being, he figured he could take time out just to enjoy the snow falling. The playful cub side of the male came out for just a moment. This was a version of Seleukoen that not everyone saw, and he honestly liked it that way. War Chieftain Generals should not be about playing and romping around like a cub, even former ones. The expectation was that they were stoic and focused creatures all of the time. The lives of everyone around them, big and small, rested solely on their shoulders. And that description accurately described Seleukoen most of the time. But the assurance that prying eyes could not see him temporarily afforded the lion that luxury.

After a pleasurable romp through the snow, Seleukoen figured he should find a vantage point in which he could survey things more. Eventually nightfall would also be upon him, so finding a comfortable spot seemed like a good idea. He was largely a nocturnal creature, so he might as well get situated. The male lion came to a rather large tree, and his nose pressed against the tree trunk. He sniffed at the bark for a few minutes, trying to detect anything. Now Seleukoen was no blood hood, but he could tell if someone occupied a tree or not. Thankfully, no one had yet. Extending his hooked claws, the white beast placed them on the trunk. He then backed up a few paces, measuring the angle and trajectory an upward motion would take. It seemed easy enough, even for a heavier creature, but he had to be sure. Falling from a high distance into wet snow did not sound appealing.

Finally Seleukoen was ready to climb. He ran forward, launching himself sky high, and raking his claws into the tree. There was a little bit of sliding backward, but not enough to delay climbing. The lion clambered on, settling himself on a branch sturdy enough to support his weight. Crossing his paws in a regal manner, Sel’s pink eyes grazed over the territory. This was nice; he had a great vantage point from this particular tree. If he was so bold, he might even call it his own. Yes, for the moment this was his tree, and his alone. Was it enough to start a vicious fight over? Probably not. However, it was suitable to claim for the time being. Besides, there still seemed to be only Seleukoen and the snow. No other figures had taken shape at all.

Rotating on his head like beacons, the male’s ears tried to pick up the source of another sound. Any other sound at all. Only the wisp of wind picking up snowflakes greeted him however. Solitude was his only friend. Thoughts of home ran through Sel’s mind, and of his family and friends. They were a long, long distance away, a journey that would take several months even in good weather. Besides that, there were only a limited number of his family members left, and their location was never really disclosed fully. The rest of them…well…that was a topic that did not get talked about very often.

With a sigh, Seleukoen rest his muzzle on his paws. His eyes began to flutter shut the longer he waited. The lion’s breathing became even and automatic, lifting his chest and frame involuntarily. He was beginning to fall asleep. But Sel was not able to fully succumb to his rest. The garbled chatter of a squirrel roused him from his slumber from farther up. So, this tree was occupied, just on a higher level. Rolling his eyes, the male refused to really acknowledge the rodent, and lay silent.

[Spirit of the Forest]

The world was pristine and white, almost out of a fairy tale. Snow drifted to the ground gently and haphazardly with no rhyme or reason. Trees moved as the breeze tugged at them, bringing forth a creaking moan of resistance. For now the land was placid and calm and uneffected by the lack of leader. Yet as the majestic creature made his way through the forest his effects could be felt. Trees that had no leaves before suddenly sprouted greenery. Evergreens suddenly had their foliage turn orange and red, with leaves starting to fall as haphazardly as the snow. He stopped, standing as still as a rock as he stared into the distance. Not truly seeing anything with his eyes but rather his spirit.

As he stopped one would notice a particular sound in the air stop, the slight twinkling that sounded like a distant wind chime. Every move he made brought with it this gentle twinkling. A magical sound that seemed to bring peace. The creature was taller than any normal deer, his body covered in brown short fur. From his back downwards moss grew, making him seem as if he was truly part of the earth. Cream coloured antlers added to his majestic appearance. There seemed to be a glow around him, giving hint to who he truly was. Yet he would never state it outright.

He stepped forward, the twinkling sound following him once again. He left a trail of autumn colored leaves behind him and his annoyance at the lack of leader was quite clear. He had set a way for the world to work, he had created a balance and tasked the mortals with caring for it. Yet they had slipped from their glory, stopping their duties and leaving the world to rot in its own chaos.

He stopped suddenly, his eyes darting to the figure of the resting creature in a tree. His eyes narrowed, his annoyance causing a sudden breeze through the trees. Not enough to knock the creature from his perch, yet it was enough to let the creature know something was up. He stood still, his twinkling music stopping as he wondered whether he should wait for the resting creature to notice him or if he should call to him. Soon enough he made up his mind.

“Seleukoen Suibhne come down from your perch” his voice was like golden honey, somehow coming from everywhere at once.

♔ Seleukoen Suibhne

[♔ Seleukoen Suibhne]

The snow continued to fall in feathery flakes as the time ticked by minute after minute and hour after hour. A curious thing about it was how so much snow fell from the sky exactly, yet it never seemed to pile so high as to be overwhelming to the creatures below. In any normal situation, the ground would be covered with at least twenty feet of snow, but not here in this particular location. The land and earth seemed to work in conjunction with one another, speaking their own language of nature. The snow was just enough to coat the ground a few inches, and that was all. It was just enough to keep the territory frozen and still in its consistent state. For a lion like Seleukoen, the precipitation only came up about to his ankles, or maybe even a little bit below them. He was a leggy male in all aspects, with his main frame being made of sinewy muscle. And so, that being the case, it was easy to navigate wherever the lion chose to go. He was stationary for the moment though, resting in his raccoon riddled tree.

Somewhere along the line, Seleukoen had drifted off into a state of slumber. He did not realize exactly when it had happened, but it did eventually. Being in a comfortable, nonthreatening position meant he was able to peacefully rest. Occasionally a paw would twitch here or there, but Sel was fine overall. His actions suggested he was having a moving dream, one where his paws were required to do something. But the outside observer could only guess that that suggestion was right. Once again the lion’s breathing was calm and automatic, almost as if his body had gone into autopilot mode. He was drifting on the wings of sleep, covered by bare branches up above as he did so. Thankfully no actual snow could really get through the spaces of the tree, or the male would probably wake up like a soggy mess. And that was something that he could do without honestly, no matter how much he liked the snow outright. He preferred to remain dry until he preferred to be out in the elements.

With his raspberry pink eyes closed, the alabaster coated beast was really dreaming of action. He dreamed of a place far away, one he did not exactly recognize, but felt a strong connection to. It was a green pasture of rolling hills and valleys. Seleukoen sat on the top of the hill looking down upon a cub placed there alone, though he could not touch it. The scene in the lion’s mind image changed to another place, one he could actually recall, and one he called home. The movements he made outwardly were because he was chasing Xander, his older brother, in his dream. Though they were not exactly siblings by blood, Xander was the only brother Seleukoen had ever known. He romped playfully with his kin, laughter floating to the sky in rapturous waves. It was a time that the feline cherished greatly, and wished that he could hold on to for even just a moment longer.

Unfortunately – or fortunately depending on one’s perspective – Seleukoen’s sleep would be cut short. He heard the approaching twinkling sound vaguely in his ears and the touch of wind against his fur. A mild groan vibrated Sel’s throat, and he shifted on his branch to another position. He thought that it was just the masked rodent, jingling something, but he could not tell what. Maybe if he tried hard enough, he could just go back to sleep and not be disturbed. But that was not the case here. “Please, just leave me be, raccoon,” the lion said sleepily, refusing to open his eyes. And just like that the twinkling stopped, and Seleukoen gave a grateful sigh of relief. He tried to focus on his previous dream, though it was not immediately coming back to him. Dreams like that only came on rare occasions, but eventually would resurface again. Yet and still the lion would not have the chance for that to happen, as his name was called with a strange, yet calm sense of authority.

The male’s eyes opened, and he saw the deer-like form in front of him. He knew that he was awake, but what his vision told him was different. The once barren foliage had changed to a vivid, leafy variation. His own tree seemed to magically come to life as well. Strange, this all was so strange to him. Instincts told Seleukoen that he probably should not touch the deer, but that it might be a good idea to follow instructions. The male automatically put two and two together, realizing that the sounds he had heard were from the buck, not above him. And these almost seasonal changes were too. How the other knew his name baffled Seleukoen, and so his furred brows came together, but he began to move anyways.

Sitting up carefully, the pallid feline readied himself for his descent. Flipping his tail up for balance, Sel plopped down into the snow, or what was left around the trunk. There was not much to speak of anymore. Cats always landed on their feet supposedly, so he felt the impact of the ground, but landed gracefully enough. Lifting his pink eyes to the buck, and perking his ears on his head, Seleukoen was ready to hear what this all was about. Or ready as he ever would be for seeing some kind of archaic, celestial being that is. His expression was one of reserved curiosity, with a touch of skepticism. Did this have something to do with the dreams he was having? If that was really the case, how come the herbivore just did not speak to him in his dreams? Well he was about to find out, of that the lion was certain. Finally words came from the male’s mouth.

“Here I am, Seleukoen Suibhne, as you…requested,” he said.

ooc - Spirit of the Forest
wotm post #1

[Spirit of the Forest]

He was patient while he waited for the creature to do as he had requested. Frowning somewhat when he was called a racoon. One may have even said the earth trembled a little bit. Either way the lion eventually came down from his post and sat in front of him respectfully. Answering his call. The spirit narrowed his eyes at the lion, his ears twitching as he stood in silence for a short time before he shook his body, the snow that had begun to blanket him fell to the ground.

”Where are your kin? Where are the mortals who are supposed to uphold the balance? Such an important task is not left unattended” It was quite clear that the deer seemed to be blaming the lion for the whole of mortality’s mistake. He did not give the lion much time to answer before continuing though; ”The kings and queens of balance failed to nominated heirs and now the world I so carefully created is left in disarray. Summer is coming to winter and the world will do more than fall into chaos if this is not rectified. Do you mortals even remember the pact that was made to uphold the balance? Or have you all forgotten?” his growing anger at the situation was evident. The land began to rumble and his voice grew louder with each word, the growing glare on his face could strike fear into even the bravest of creatures. He stood quietly for a moment, giving the lion a chance to respond.

It did not occur to this ancient spirit that the kings and queens had been gone or generations and only now the effects were truly being felt. He was an aged creature, as old as the world itself and so a month felt like a minute and year felt like a dya. He had not truly noticed the passage of time. Here he stood before a creature who had never experience the court’s having rulers. He had not truly considered the possibility that perhaps the courts had become something of a legend.

♔ Seleukoen Suibhne

[Zara]

Zara's search for knowledge had taken her to many places. This particular place seemed the most challenging so far. Surviving this harsh environment would take a great deal of effort. Just finding food, drink and shelter here would be quite a test for the intelligent female gorilla.

Driven by her desire to learn, she walked gingerly on the snow. The stark whiteness on the ground was a strain on her eyes. With one hand, she held her cloak around her as tightly as she could. Her other hand held a long, thick and sturdy branch to aid her as she walked.

After a while, she arrived on a scene that she couldn't believe...at first. Caution caused Zara to keep some distance between herself and the other two beings. She soon realized that the lion seemed real enough. The buck, though, seemed...otherworldly.

Despite the biting cold, she just stood there. Taking in the scene. She dared not approach any closer, so she decided to observe the buck and the lion just for a little while before deciding what to do next.

♔ Seleukoen Suibhne,Spirit of the Forest,

[♔ Seleukoen Suibhne]

Seleukoen was really curious as to what this random, spectral visit was about, and how it concerned him honestly. One moment he was dreaming of his early life and childhood, and the next minute he was face to face with a decked out deer…thing. An occasion like this certainly did not happen every day, so the lion was still trying to piece things together as time went on. Add sleep on top of that, and things tend to get a little confusing. Seleukoen planted himself on the ground from the tree, and then settled in to hear what was going on. He did not think that he had offended anyone in coming here to this particular location; the land looked empty at almost every turn. But it still was a plausible situation considering the circumstances. Maybe he had missed the scents markers outlining the territory? Well it was a little too late to turn back then. Seleukoen wrapped his tasseled tail around his paws as he reclined into a sitting position. There was a noticeable space between the two figures, but it was still close enough to talk without true hindrance.

Speaking of talking, neither of them started into conversation very quickly at first. The silence that formed for a moment was as clear as the day was long. It was blatantly obvious that they were studying each other, and getting a feel for one another on their own terms. Seleukoen did not have anywhere else to be at the moment, so he took his time, pink eyes scanning over the moss covered spirit intently. The buck was the first to break the silence by shuffling the snow off of his back and speaking of Sel’s kinfolk. The initial thought crossed the lion’s mind that perhaps he had run into this other man before, which is why his manner of speaking had a familiar way about it. There was no introduction just straight to the punchline. Maybe he knew his family and was asking to see them? Well, that would make sense, except that Seleukoen certainly would not have forgotten meeting someone like that before. He was just too unique to not remember him. That theory was soon shot to heck the more the deer continued speaking though.

The words “mortals” and “balance” initially caught Seleukoen’s attention the most. He gave the buck a sideways glance, and a confused expression visibly crossed his features. The lion’s black lips opened as if he was going to speak, but then they closed again shortly thereafter. Obviously he was going to have to wait to speak his piece until after the buck was entirely done. He had taken a breath as well, but it was released in a thin stream of frost. The herbivore was speaking as if he was not a mortal like Sel was. But he was a mortal, he just had to be. Right? The lion’s raspberry colored eyes narrowed a bit, and his ears twitched on his head as he continued to listen to the lecture he was given. Well, this was certainly unexpected to say the least. Maybe the leaf eater just ate one too many twigs last spring and had his antlers screwed on too tight? That was a possible explanation. Seleukoen had no bloody idea what was going on and his misunderstanding was growing by the second.

At the mention of the buck creating everything and making a pact, Sel had to speak up for himself. Clearly there was some mistake and his name had gotten mixed up in it somehow. He felt the ground gurgling with anger and had to set the record straight immediately. The last thing he needed was for a fight to start for no real reason. “With all due respect, sir, I think that you may have confused me with another male lion. My kin has been deceased for quite a few years now. They unfortunately perished at the claws of an invading pride, shortly after I became an adult. My father, mother, and my only brother, they are all gone…” Seleukoen’s tone was low and laced with sadness as he recalled the events of his past. His eyes drifted to the ground momentarily before finding their way back to the spirit. “I was the only one left from my family, and they did not make me aware of any pact. I know nothing of who you are or of what you speak.” The scars on Seleukoen’s shoulders, ribs, and spine were the testaments to the truth of his statement. Furthermore, the alabaster beast did not even know he was adopted as a cub, nonetheless that there was a million year old spirit roping around through the snow. He probably did not want to hear a sob story about the tragic events of years passed, but it was all the pallid beast could offer at the time. If there was some mystical forgotten pact, he certainly was not let in on the secret before then, through no real fault of his own. Granted, Seleukoen did not always take responsibility for things happening, but this time he had no prior knowledge. He needed some answers because Seleukoen obviously did not have any of his own.

At the sound of another approaching, Seleukoen’s eyes moved once more from the ethereal deer. They landed on the primate, and stayed there a moment, examining her as intricately as possible. She had on unusual attire from what the lion had seen others wear, so that stood out to him most of all. Obviously Sel could only do so much at that distance, and he had pressing matters to attend to as well though. So, he gave her a brief nod of acknowledgement before facing the herbivore again, seeing what he was going to say. This started out as a casual jaunt through the territories, but it was rapidly becoming something else the more it went on. The eventual outcome was going to be an interesting one.

Spirit of the Forest , Zara

[Spirit of the Forest]

The lion’s words struck anger into the deer and perhaps one could argue that this dominant and all powerful creature had poor control over his emotions for a being his age. He was as old as the ground they stood on and perhaps it could be said he lacked the maturity of even the youngest of mortals. Flawed yet perfect at the same time this deer glared at the lion and then all hell broke loose. The ground shook violently as he attempted to form a coherent sentence. A reply to this insolent mortal, this creature who knew nothing about the world. This creature who should have known.

“You have forgotten” His voice was not longer sweet and beautiful like golden honey, it was booming and ragged and angry as the words left his lips. His ears flicked and he reared up, as his hooves touched down upon the ground a tree or two fell somewhere. He had half a mind to crack open the earth and swallow the very creatures he had given life. In some far recess of his mind he acknowledged the creature hiding, not approaching. Yet his anger was directed at this lion, as if he were the spokesperson for all mortals. His form flickered for a moment between physical and ethereal before he spoke again: “There was a pact, and you mortals have forgotten, you have become selfish and self-involved. You act like animals. And I gave you sentience, that you are not some dumb beings with lifeless eyes who simply seek to survive!

He turned, as if to walk away. Repressing the desire to throw the ape at a tree as he attempt to control himself. Once he was in control of his emotions the earth stopped shuddering and trees stopped falling around them.

”Go tell the world that the spirit of the forest comes. That the courts must be restored, surely one of you ignorant fools will remember the pact.” his words were almost like the growls of a predator, not quite angry anymore but rather disgusted. He glanced at the ape, his piercing green eyes letting her know that this was her duty as well. ”And if you don’t… he trailed off, leaving behind hidden threats. He was disgusted and angry and disappointed and he could not look at these creatures without feeling the overwhelming anger swelling up in his chest. With a final flick of his ears and a furious glare he simply disappeared. Leaving the two creatures in the wake of his destruction.

♔ Seleukoen Suibhne

Q U E S T

You have been given a quest by the spirit of the forest. He has tasked ♔ Seleukoen Suibhne and Zara with informing the inhabitants of the world with the story of the courts. They have automatically received the knowledge the need to do this how they receive the knowledge is up to you as the player (it can come with a headache or a great revelation, words in the sky...etc.). You need to inform at least two other characters each about the Courts by 5 December 2017. Should you complete this quest you will receive a relic.

[Zara]

"I am sorry to hear of your loss, sir lion", Zara told the leonine. "My name is Zara. I am a scholar. I hope to learn all types of knowledge.

Please, sir, what is your name, if I may ask?" Zara wasn't sure she'd get an answer, but she would understand if the lion chose not to reply. She did not move from where she stood, but she did grasp her ancient banyan tree branch firmly, ready to leave and deliver the ethereal buck's message.

Zara also examined the fallen trees and cracked ground left in the buck's wake. She shuddered in both fear and awe.  The buck must have great power in order to cause so much damage. 

She'd have to try to find a way to leave the destroyed area unharmed.  "Sir lion, I would also ask a favor of you.  Can you suggest a safe way to get through all the broken trees and soil around us?"


♔ Seleukoen Suibhne ,Spirit of the Forest

[♔ Seleukoen Suibhne]

Seleukoen had to admit to himself, if no one else, that he was mystified by the almost magical deer. There was no other word to describe what he was feeling at first except for mystified. His jaws parted slightly, his furred brows coming closer together, and his eyes narrowed quite a bit. Now this was certainly something strange. If there was a way to explain it to his comrades - which there was not – they would think Sel had gone off the deep end. They would think he had lost all of his marbles and logical, reasonable way of thinking. Luckily for the lion, he was on his own for the most part, so he could continue to be closed mouthed about what he saw. Or, so he thought initially. That was about to be turned upside down on its head rather quickly indeed.

The longer that the white lion lingered, the deeper the trench seemed to grow. And technically he was not even the one digging it. It was like a ghostly shovel was digging up all the dirt that it possibly was able to. Seleukoen was just stating what he knew, hoping that that would be enough to appease his visitor. Clearly it was not however. With each word leaving Seleukoen’s thin lips, the angrier the spirit seemed to grow, and Seleukoen honestly did not know why. He was as innocent as innocent could possibly be. The buck would have to give it to him straight, tell him in plain English what he meant by his words. It was not the male’s fault that his forefathers or lineage broke that pact. It was only through DEATH that that happened. Was that not a worthy reason for something like this not continuing? His family was at the mercy of killers, surely a pact was the last thing on their minds at the time. Seleukoen’s parentage was merely trying to survive another day, not pass on some sort of legend. And, unfortunately, they could not even do that.

The first three words that came from the spirit’s mouth sort of offended the lion, but he did not speak it aloud. He had forgotten? Now Sel was not one to take the blame for anything, but this was justified. He just really did not know. How was he to forget something that he did not know? The puzzle pieces simply were not fitting together for him, and he was an intelligent feline most definitely. Seleukoen flinched slightly as he saw the herbivore angle back on his hind hooves. Yes, he was a big, bold lion, but when there is potential to be attacked, one does not take that lightly. The goal in mind was not to harm Sel specifically it seemed though, so he remained firm where he was. The distant rumble of trees did not shake his fortitude and his pink eyes remained trained on the deer. At the word ‘mortals’ Seleukoen was just baffled. Was this man not a mortal as well? If he was, he certainly did not think he was one. The alabaster lion’s tail flicked once behind him in wonderment. Maybe his horns were screwed on a little too tight. Sel gave an internal shrug, but tried to continue on like nothing really was happening.

“Sir, so let me get this straight, just to make sure I understand properly. You are saying that you alone created all beings? And that those beings made an agreement with you in exchange for knowledge and life?” There was a touch of skepticism, for Seleukoen was in the dark with all of this. But, Sel knew not to actually question the deer, for he did possess a unique presence about him. One that might unleash an even greater beast than the one that had already emerged. The feline thought that the herbivore was simply going to walk away from him, and all would go back to relative normality. But that was not the case clearly. Seleukoen knew better than that. And his aforementioned mysticism was definitely for a reason.

Seleukoen and Zara were commissioned with restoring the pact to others before the spirit up and disappeared. The lion felt a warmth travel from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, and a sense of endowment enveloped him. Suddenly his ignorance of the pact was revealed to him and whisked away with a single exhale. The lion had never had a feeling like that one before, and he had never been threatened like that before either. There was no option but to do as he was told, for the future would hold bad things if not.

When the female approached him, the male’s eyes went to find hers. He knew that they must work together at least for a little while or face the consequences. “Thank you Zara,” he said first, “I am called Seleukoen.” His surname was not what was important at the time; they had to get to business. Where to start though? Where could they possibly even start? There did not seem to be a bunch of animals anywhere thus far. It was only the three of them, and one had vanished in an angry poof of smoke. There were no tried and true smells to smell, only broken tree trunks and craziness left as evidence. Sel was really annoyed with the thought of how they would convince others to believe them. No wonder the pact had died with others. No. He should not think that way; that was a little cruel. He hoped that the buck spirit could not read minds.

Seleukoen sighed gently, turning his raspberry gaze from Zara momentarily before speaking. “I do not know much about this landscape honestly. I am new here like you seem to be. But if we retrace our steps from the east, perhaps that might lead us out of here,” he said. Hopefully the snow had not covered their paw prints, or they would need to develop a new strategy.