Force-claiming is allowed here once a week per character, as is blocking force-claims by the Peak/Lagoon (as a whole) once a week. Rollover is on Sundays.
Some stars shine past the sun; Posted on November 10, 2020 at 07:23:22 PM by Larka
Sadness and grief tugged the strings of her heart down heavily, but it was the possibility of losing Darshan that held the most weight. Sanibel’s death was inevitable, that fact Larka had regrettably come to terms with. When first she had come to join Shamwari’s herd, the golden woman had been her elder and more than once her teacher in the ways of life on the Prairie. Deep down, deep below the tiny voice of the child that screamed and cried for the lost souls, Larka knew the day that her steps led her beyond the safe borders of home that Sanibel would not be found alive. Like Larka herself, Sanibel had suffered at the hands of others. Never was there a desire to leave the paradise that they had formed in the small close knit herd. Even now, the memory of Sanibel’s still form haunted her mind. Yet even in her death, the mare seemed at peace. No more suffering, at least that much Larka could come to terms with.
Shamwari…. Shamwari was unexpected. Larka knew that the russet stallion would take Sanibel’s death hard. She was family. It was not until her return to the Prairie that the meaning of family began to really take hold. It had taken her years to learn that she could love and devote herself to more than just her own family. Her parting from Shamwari all those years ago had opened her eyes and heart to the devotion she felt for the red stallion. Despite the miles that separated them, always thoughts of him were not far from her mind. However even after reuniting with Shamwari, the real meaning of family did not quite hold weight… not until Darshan and Sanibel.
When exactly, the relationship between the trio had gone from mere respect to something more heartfelt, Larka did not think she would ever know. The love and adoration she felt for the two mares was something deep and ingrained, as if it had always been there buried there somewhere deep beneath the surface. Like polished shells along the shore, it had taken years to develop and mold but it had created itself nonetheless. They were as much apart of her as her own children, her love for Shamwari, or her soul. To think that she must lose them all at once was just more than she could bare.
Larka is no fool. She knows that she had nothing more to offer than a warm smile and sincere heart but all she can pray is that the emotions behind her words are enough. If Darshan were to leave, to seek her own soul back in the solace of wandering Larka knew she would break. So long she had tried her best to stay strong. Cassiah, Ayiana and the others, all of them looked to Darshan and herself as the seniors of the herd for guidance. Despite her own loss, she kept the weeping tears quiet and instead allowed the sad smile on her lips as Shamwari and Castiel disappeared beyond the rolling ocean waves. But Darshan…
The fierceness of the dunalino’s caress gives her hope. The soft coo of her voice like the comfort of her own mother’s embrace. As if the gates of a dam had lifted, the torrential weight of her emotions spilled freely down her cheeks. Fear, loss, worry, sorrow… like a tidal wave they collect in the tears that dampen her cheeks as she finds herself once more relying on Darshan. Only now, only in the embrace of her friend, does she let her own sadness envelop her. Darshan asks for her forgiveness but there is none to give. Darshan is as much apart of her soul as her own children, her mate, her family. Darshan is her soul. A weary smile curves across her ash dusted labrums as tentatively Larka presses her small muzzle into the concave of Darshan’s throat. ”There is nothing to forgive Darshan. You are my family, my soul. I may have lost Sanibel and Shamwari, but I will not lose you too. If you choose to go, I will follow but please… stay.” reluctantly she draws her gaze back towards the ocean, her silver blue eyes lingering on the distant shores of Luthien that appear nothing more than a blue green blur on the horizon. ”They are not ready to lose you… to lose me. Stay… I won't ask you to stay forever, but stay for a while still. Please?” she begs, doing her best to blink away the tears that clung there.
Relief. Relief flashes in her eyes when the resolve gleams in Darshan’s own. However, that relief is suddenly replaced with concern as brows furrow at Darshan’s sudden urgency. Silver blue eyes cast a curious gaze towards the painted stallion now, for once, offering him a shy smile. She had not meant to be rude and ignore him but in her fear of losing Darshan, all pleasantries and common courtesy had disappeared. She asks Roheryn as he was named to take her home, take her away from whatever danger lurked in the shadows here but Larka is not ready to leave. For once, her fierce gaze draws away from Darshan to gaze at the open land around them. The commons. It had been a very long time since last she found herself on these shores, but the implication of their meaning was not lost on her. Many stories. There were many stories that she had heard over the years of mares being forced or claimed by stallions they wished no allegiance to. Shamwari had protected her from such a fate himself but Sanibel was not as lucky. The time with Rougaru had scarred the golden woman and left wounds that no amount of time would heal. Larka could not; would not see that happen to Darshan.
A single dial tilts towards Roheryn as the gold and cream stallion declines Darshan’s request and instead advises it wisest to stay together. Though Larka had never been much of a fan of others speaking for her, in this instance, she finds her pale gaze meeting that of the unfamiliar stallion with appreciation. A soft murmur and nod of her head follows suit as Larka leans into Darshan’s shoulder, ”I dare not leave the girls long. I know that Ayiana will watch over Cassiah and Ruger would protect them should the new stallion prove unsavory but they still need me… they still need you, Darshan.” she murmurs, raking her hoof in resolution. ”I would not risk you. I will stay with you.”