Cuddlebugs, Lovebirds, and Forbidden Love!

An Elegant Blossom East Hippogryph

Mindspeech: Italics #ca99f4

Long ago, in another place, there was a young woman. She was both incredibly beautiful and gentle, kind to all and with a heart of gold. Everyone in her village loved her and said she was as beautiful as the moon that inspired her name.

Then one day when she was walking in the forest she found a man laying injured in the grass. His clothes marked him as a foreigner, and he was very handsome. She moved to his side to see if she would be able to help him and as he looked at her it was a meeting of eyes, a warming of hearts, and a fusing of souls. The young woman helped him to her house and nursed him back to health. They spent many happy days together while he recovered and were soon deep in love. But the man was a soldier from the cold northlands and his people were at war with another kingdom. Though their hearts broke at the parting he had to return to his home to fulfil his duty. They vowed to reunite when peace returned and shared messages via her loyal, trained bird.

But it wasn't meant to be. The same enemy that his army was fighting came to the beautiful lady's home. Her father was the village spokesman but he was too old and ill to go out to speak with the general of the army. So bravely she strode forward to deliver her father's words: They would not surrender. The army was free to buy the supplies they wanted, but nothing would be given freely. The general sneered, then before anyone could act took his blade and ran her through.

Love, however, is a powerful force and it wasn't about to let death have the final say. Another world, another life, and a Hippogryph came into the world of exquisite beauty and kindness. And when by chance she happened to be at a gathering of Hippogryphs from all clans she saw a male North. It was a meeting of eyes, a warming of hearts, and a fusing of souls. Love would not be denied.

Though she doesn't remember her past life as a human she maintains her personality from that time. She is gentle and graceful, elegant and pure-hearted. She greatly enjoys gathering and using herbs to make medicine to treat the injured and ill and never turns anyone aside no matter how tired she might be. Elegant Blossom it completely devoted to her mate, the Dedicated Warrior; both of them have the feeling that this is a chance they shouldn't squander. She loves natural beauty and creativity as well. Though not afraid of much battle causes her a keen terror and she is a complete pacifist. Thankfully if there's any danger or threats her mate is more than capable of taking care of it.

Elegant Blossom is a very pale blue Hippogryph with blue-green socks on each leg and sapphire mane and tail with pale blue tips. The tips of her wings are white, matching that of her mate through no intention of their own. Sapphire flecks dot her flanks almost like water droplets. Contrasting all this blue and green are her eyes; a shining violet.



The Dedicated Warrior Male North Hyppogryph

Mindspeech: Bold #036

Long ago, in another place, there was a young man. He was proud and strong but with a good heart, and loved to protect his northern country. It was no surprise to any that he entered the military when he came of age and his dedication was such that he rose through the ranks quickly.

Then one day while on a mission things went bad. He was ambushed and unable to rejoin his allies through normal means. He was forced into a long, exhausting chase through a foreign land that wasn't involved in the war he battled against. Injured and at his limits he climbed over a wall into a beautiful garden to hide, hoping to give the enemy the slip. That was when he was found by a beautiful woman his own age who tended to his wounds, sheltered him in her father's house, and helped him regain his strength. They spent many happy days together while he recovered and were soon deep in love. But the war wasn't abating and he had to return eventually. Though their hearts broke at the parting he had to return to his home to fulfil his duty. They vowed to reunite when peace returned and shared messages via her loyal, trained bird.

But it wasn't meant to be. The same enemy that his army was fighting came to the beautiful lady's home. Having heard the rumors about the enemy moving into his beloved's country he hurried to her home only to arrive at the end of everything. He was spared the moment of her death though in quiet he attended her burial, then went on against his enemy like a man possessed. Nothing would stop him, he took mission after mission and refused to rest for more than the minimum until finally he faced her killer. Just as he killed the beautiful woman without hesitation so too did the soldier's face show no expression save for the righteous fury in his eyes as he ran the general through. However, his vengeance had been the fire that had kept him going and with it sated he returned home only to sicken and pass away a few weeks later.

Love, however, is a powerful force and it wasn't about to let death have the final say. Another world, another life, and a Hippogryph came into the world of great dedication and loyalty. And when by chance she happened to be at a gathering of Hippogryphs from all clans he saw a female East. It was a meeting of eyes, a warming of hearts, and a fusing of souls. Love would not be denied.

Though the memories of his past life as a human have vanished from his mind Dedicated Warrior has kept the personality that marked him in that life. He is a loyal defender both of his Clan and his beloved, as well as his Bonded and those who make up him Bonded family. He can come off as quite serious at times though with time and understanding he will relax. Just never try stepping in front of him when danger threatens; his place is on the front lines defeating any foe that challenges him or threatens those behind him.

Dedicated Warrior is a tall, broad Hippogryph. His front avian half and wings are steel blue-gray and the tips of his wings are snow-white much like his mate; an interesting marking for his rank. His equine back half is the sapphire of a glacier's heart, matching his often-piercing eyes that occasionally warm with affection.

Always There for You Genderless Solar Athid

Mindspeech: Color #380b78

There's a thing called 'languages of love.' It's a term for how someone expresses or receives love the best. For Always There the language they express themselves best is clearly 'acts of service.' Like all Solars they feel driven to be a caretaker for Frisk as his Bonded Athid, but it's not about duty to them. To Always There each time they take care of the laundry, or the dishes, or straighten up the living room after a night of hanging out with friends and Bondeds, it's an expression of a single, simple yet profound phrase: "I love you.' They never expect any such act in return - in fact as might be no surprise given they're a Cuddlebug Athid 'physical touch' is their preference for being offered affection and doing such things just for reciprocation is rather tacky after all. Always There is just happy being able to do what they can for Frisk and showing their love every day.

Appearing as a 'mundane' ladybug - which admittedly has some calling them by female pronouns every now and then, a fact they patiently and kindly correct each time - Always There has a brilliant, dark red carapace almost the color of wine with black spots. But one of their spots has a curious irregularity to it - it's pointed on one end and dented in the top, looking none too unlike a heart.




The Quiet, Gentle Servant Male Squire Gryphon

Mindspeech: Bold #91e2ff

Gentle Servant has always enjoyed his role as support and backup to those around him. He's a warrior in his own right but not as powerful as others more suited and trained for those tasks, and it's given him a gentler, softer outlook and demeanor. Even his Mindvoice is often called gentle, warm and comforting to hear. He doesn't mind taking up any task assigned to him within reason and as long as he's not at the moment caught up in another task. This can sometimes lead him to be burdened with an abundance of work, and as a Gryphon who enjoys helping others it can leave him no time to take care of himself beyond the basics of food, cleanliness, and (sometimes) sleep. Thankfully he had a beloved to point out to him when he's lacking one or the other and making sure he gets them.

Gentle Servant stands a proud six feet tall at the shoulder give or take a feather or two. He's a uniform dusty blue-gray color though the feathers of his wings are bright emerald green. His eyes match his feathers, and he has a mock 'mane' of longer feathers that he wears along his neck, a family quirk he picked up from his mother that he shares with his Blade brother.



Finding my own Destiny Female Ember Phoenix

Mindspeech: Color #186190

My Destiny is something of a jumble of talents. 'Jack of all trades and master of none' might be a good phrase to describe her though those who think it should remember that the second part of it is 'but better than a master of one.' She used to think of her future as defined by her place in her rank-orientated family society where though eldest daughter she was of the lowest rank. But now she knows that isn't the limit of her potential. So she's dedicated to learning everything she can, trying it all to find where she fits in best. As a result she has a smattering of knowledge and skills at her wingtips from medicinal and herbal lore to musical ability and even baking and sewing. My Destiny is no master, and she knows that it would be unwise to say put her in charge of the entire kitchen for dinner or leave her alone in the infirmary, but in any situation there's a chance that she will be able to chip in. Even when she doesn't know how to she's more than willing to learn and listen to experts. Her presence even when she is inexperienced at a thing is worthwhile as her steady, even temperament helps defuse tension and makes teaching her a joy. In her own quiet way she's a very loving soul, especially towards her beloved Gryphon, and though she loves her family and doesn't begrudge them for her earlier years she is happy with the life she's found.

As many Ember Phoenixes are My Destiny is a small avian standing at just shy of two feet tall. Her ash-colored feathers remind others of soft clouds (or so Gentle Servant claims). Red and orange sparkles congregate along her head and neck primarily, though a few dust her tail as well. Her eyes are an icy blue, standing out like a patch of clear sky when the sun breaks through.



Their Story



The first time that Gentle Servant had ever seen a phoenix he had been in one of their mountain homes with his elder brothers, a Shield and a Blade. They'd been sent from their own expansive family Order by request from the leader of this Bonfire. A rogue young Wild Dragon had been sighted and as the Bonfire wasn't very large they wanted help in protecting themselves, especially his precious offspring. He had three children, his heir who was a charismatic female Blaze, a spirited male Spark as his youngest, and his eldest daughter, an Ember, My Destiny. Though he let his own brothers do the talking Gentle Servant noticed that the Blaze was putting herself out there, trying to take charge and assist in things as one might expect. The young Spark was a constant presence as the trio of Gryphons settled in with wanting to talk to them and show off his flying skills. But the eldest, the Ember, always seemed to fade into the background. It wasn't that her family was unkind to her, but certainly she didn't get the same degree of focused attention that her siblings did. She was a dutiful daughter but she was simply…there. Cared for, but never celebrated, and in her own way alright with that. They spoke off and on, mostly when Gentle Servant was doing his squire's chores for his brothers. She'd offer to help more often than not, which he appreciated and in their conversation they learned more about each other and found they had much in common. They both had siblings that they felt they couldn't quite live up to due to their rank, though neither felt any desire to complain about it or want to have things changed. They both loved their families, and they both wanted the threat of the dragon to end. The only difference was that while Gentle Servant was content with his role and destiny, My Destiny felt that she had yet to find hers. She knew she wanted something out of life, but couldn't find what. She wasn't her father's heir, she wasn't a high rank phoenix. Her future wasn't set in soft clay yet alone stone, but she didn't know what to do about it. During their conversations they found great enjoyment with one another and a deep fondness.

It was nighttime when the dragon attacked. The Blade Gryphon flew to battle alongside the strongest of the Phoenix warriors, leaving his Shield and Squire brothers to protect the three offspring. Without thinking, with dragon fire spilling down and danger at every wingtip, Gentle Servant lunged to the Ember daughter's side to protect her. Together they hurried the vulnerable and defenseless to safety and ferried supplies to the injured. Though My Destiny remained unharmed he took a few singings in her defense. The dragon was eventually slain due to the joint efforts of the Gryphons, the Phoenixes, and a bronzerider who was also out hunting the wild dragon on behalf of the Weyr. Though they rested there a few days to let their injuries heal eventually the three Gryphon brothers had to return to their homes. But for Gentle Servant and My Destiny, it was like losing a part of themselves they'd never known they had lacked before. It wasn't a week before the beating of feathered wings heralded My Dentiny's arrival with her family's blessing to join her beloved. Now they have traveled to the Haven Weyr territory to seek their shared future.

What Exactly is Love Male Arcane Cuddlebug Athid


Mindspeech: Bold Italics #2bc0c2

It can be easily said that love is one of the great mysteries of life. It strikes where you never expect, binds the most unlikely of individuals into bonds that nothing, not opposition, not hardships, not even death itself can shake. It can linger, subtle and quiet, between two people for so long that when they realize it is there very little changes between them when it is acknowledged. And at times it can be one-sided, so that one loves another with their entire being but it is never reciprocated. It can even bind three or more people in the same binds. Who can understand it? Well, What is Love is determined to try and find an answer to that question. He has already become a veritable lexicon of poems, essays, stories, and lore on all kinds of love. Between helping Fait with everyday duties and making sure she takes time to care for herself he is studying and following any train of thought in pursuit of his Elusive Answer. Will he ever find it? Probably not, but that doesn't stop him. In what time he has spare, ironically to those that witness it, he seems to be a natural expert at love. He's affectionate and loves to be close as befits a Cuddlebug. He speaks kindly and lovingly to those he cares about, and though he is a little awkward about it offers small gifts and tokens, often food or finds from his research that he knows they'll enjoy. It's ironic that he swears that he doesn’t understand love. Perhaps his subconscious understands far more than he realizes, and someday he'll understand that.

What is Love has the physical appearance of a Cerura Vinula Moth Caterpillar, though of course being a mechanical creature he'll never not be a caterpillar. While being made of metal he has the caterpillar's green coloration thanks to a coat of enamel as well as accents of black along his back and ringing his two, red-tipped 'tails.' Though his face is black it is ringed with red, and white dots line his sides. Overall his entire length is about two feet, and he's about a foot tall though he can stand up to two feet when he 'sits up' on his back sets of legs.


The Defender of the Hearth Female Gust Pegasus


For Defender, a Gust that both a warrior born and bred (literally, as both her parents were well-known wandering warriors in their home region), there is nothing more precious, more worth fighting for, than home. And home in her mind is not just the physical structure, the walls or hovel in the ground or particular patch of prairie you claim or what have you. Given to her parent's wandering ways 'home' as a place is variable and changing with the times. No, 'home' to her has always meant those that mane a dwelling place that home be it Bonded or family. Those she loves. Admittedly though finding that 'home' has always been hard for her. There came a time in her past when her path and that of her parents' had to part. She doesn't speak of it often, and often it takes some persuasion to get even part of the story from her. Defender was alone for a long time, wandering here and there and doing good for others but never having anything of a real place to call home. That is until she met a Phoenix who was also taking shelter in a barn against a sudden storm. Their eyes met, and as he invited her to enjoy the warmth of a small fire he'd created she felt for the first time in a long time, finally, home. And with finding her home Defender has found her heart. She cherishes Keeper and protects her with everything she has. In their wanderings the pair have entered Haven's territory and sought out Fait, the final piece to their permanent home. Now she has a place she loves with people she loves, and she'll protect it to the last! With their roaming days more or less behind them Defender feels quite comfortable in letting her more relaxed side show more often, lightly playing at games and cuddling with family. Though she'll never admit it, she can be quite the softy.

Defender can be quite a beauty, especially in the sunlight. Her coat is cremello with a white blanket, so in the light she looks almost like soft gold. Her wings match with a hinting of lighter white in her feather's edges that echoes the color of her mane and tail. Her eyes are dark brown and deep, soulful and warm as melted chocolate when she's at peace or hard as stone when she's in battle. Her hooves, which she always places carefully, are tan instead of black.

The Keeper of the Hearth Flame Phoenix


Mindspeech: Color #5f10a1


Keeper has always felt that the heart of any home, and any family, is the hearth. It's where warmth is borne from, where in some homes food is cooked, and where families sit around and enjoy both it's glow and one another's company. To him it's almost a sacred thing that not only everyone should share but that deserves protecting. At first that was one of several reasons he was pleased to meet Defender. She was skillful and shared many of his own views. He's a homebody himself, preferring to remain behind and take care of things while others go out adventuring. It was what he did while they were traveling together; Keeper would make and maintain their camp and Defender would go out on whatever task they had found only to return with the a warm fire and dinner ready and waiting for her. It's a habit that he'll continue on with Fait's household: meals and a cozy place to return to will never be lacking, no matter where it may be.

Keeper is an extraordinarily tall Phoenix for his rank, standing actually an inch over the norm of three feet. He is as red as a cherry, and the bands on his wings and tail are diffuse, almost fuzzy-looking at the edges though none of them are wider than a couple of inches. His eyes are all but molten gold in color yet no matter what they are always warm and welcoming.

I'll Just Keep Trying Genderless Cuddlebug Athid

Mindspeech: Color#393892

Keep Trying is a young Athid. They haven't emerged from their birth nest less than two months before meeting Lolbit, which while they have the understanding of an adult Athid as per a mechanical creature - not needing to be told what things are and how to self-care and the like - they still have a lot to learn. They know for example that they are driven to clean up messes and take care of things around Lolbit, but the exact how of that still escapes them. They're still learning their own personality, even whether they want to be a male or a female athid or neither at all (to that point, they'll answer to any pronoun used to address them until they figure it out for themselves). Keep Trying is also a rather jumpy Athid; sudden sounds or movements, new situation, storms, nearly everything can sent them flying into Lolbit's arms for comfort. But they'll get there, just you wait and see!

Keep Trying has the form of a cicada, being a little more than five inches long and eventually being ten inches long at full grown. Though many might consider the cicada little more than a noisy bug they're a particularly lovely version: his dark gray body is dusted with teal blue-green and their wings hold pink glimmers in their depths.

Gentle Blushes Female Wind Pegasus

Among a rank known for their quiet, gentle natures Gentle Blushes is the epitome of quiet. She's a shy, even timid equine. She often bashfully hides her face behind her wing or ducked behind someone or something handy, such as Lolbit. She is known to visibly blush at the slightest compliment. She's a sweetheart too, very kind-hearted and charitable. Nothing makes her more delighted than being able to give a gift It was actually a gift that brought her together with her dear Phoenix. She'd seen the avian seeming down and had given him a flower she picked from the park nearby. It was the start of a beautiful, and lasting, relationship.

Gentle Blushes is a delicate Pegasus with the body structure of a Connemara pony. She stands just a bit over 4 feet tall at the shoulder (or 13 hands in equine-speak), with creamy white coat and wing coloration and the two lines down spine and across shoulder of all Wind Pegasus. Though her eyes are dark brown they are very warm, and her blushing often turns her cheeks and beneath her eyes a soft shade of pink.

You Can Always Come to Me Flame Phoenix

Mindspeech: Color #7b74f2

Come to Me takes the viewpoint of hearth and home quite literally to heart. He tries to live his life being one that anyone and everyone can come to when they have troubles, a warm spirit welcoming them to unburden themselves and a soft, feathered shoulder to rest upon when tired. But what tends to happen when someone takes this mindset is they forget to take care of themselves. Always holding the burdens of others onto themselves causes exhaustion of the spirit and that's what happened to him. Two friends had come to him with heavy troubles one after the other. His worries weighed upon his mind, and he also was struggling with his own personal troubles with no one to turn to. He was struggling with his thoughts when suddenly someone placed a flower before his talons. Come to Me lifted his head and saw Gentle Blushes looking at him with the sweetest, shyest expression in her eyes that invited him to simply rest his head against her in a cuddle that restored his soul. They haven't been apart for long since. She can see when he has reached his limits and needs some affection or a token to recharge his spirits like no one else and he appreciates that more than words can say.

Just a foot or so shorter than his beloved at two feet, Come to Me is a deep warm red shade, some might say cinnamon red. The orange bands on his wings are thin and alternate left and right never coming further across than the halfway point, like someone painted them on with a brush. By contrast his eyes are amethyst and sparkle with friendliness and invitation to unburden your soul.

Lamsy Divy Female Cuddlebug Steam Athid

Mindspeech: Bold #bc4f41

Cheerful and hyperactive, there's not a moment to life that Lamsy Divy doesn't throw herself into with a will. Everything excites her, everything is glorious and beautiful and amazing no matter how many times she's seen it before. Granted, her excitability results in a rather off-beat Mindspeech pattern: many times Lamsy Divy's words will blur together in irregular ways, twisting syllables from one word to the one before or after it. It takes one either very clever to sort through it or very patient with her to get her to settle down and repeat herself. With her vibrant personality Lamsy Divy makes friends easily and can help others make friends as well. Bonnet will never have to worry about being a wallflower with her around.

Lamsy Divy, as befitting her fluttery ways, is a beautiful butterfly with iridescent wings and lace-like filigree along the edges. Her antenna are silver with small, soft, felt-covered balls on the end like pompoms on a kid's headband bopper. Though they are white normally they can be lit from within at will and the color changes seemingly randomly in a rainbow of glow. Everything about Lamsy Divy is shimmer, shine, and glitter!



Light and Free be the Heart Male Spark Phoenix

Mindspeech: Color #397bba

As carefree as the wind that carries him aloft, Light and Free has always been known as a flirt and a tease. He whole heartedly believes in the concept of ludus, that is 'playful love.' He's never cruel, don't be mistaken, and he's not a heartbreaker by any means. He compliments females of any species or rank to make them blush or offer encouragement in his own way or even simply to tease. He's like that guy who's everyone's friend and someone many females have a crush on but know he's far too flighty to settle down. That is until he ran across a certain rabbit - literally. He'd been coming in for a landing and had accidentally rolled right over a female Skvader who was feeding. He attempted to apologize complete with vibrant compliments. She in turn… rabbit kicked him in the stomach and scolded him repeatedly for not watching where he was going. At first shocked he later laughed even as he tried to evade her, finding her response refreshing and new compared to the bashful giggles he was used to. Light and Free just couldn't stay away after that, often showing up at the warren to visit or warning them of dangers he'd seen from aloft or accompanying his Skvader on patrols. Though at first he viewed her only as a friend he came to respect her more, then admire her, then finally fell in love with her and he's been at her side ever since. He still compliments her frequently and flirts in his usual way (still with others as well as her) which usually gets him (gentle, mostly) kicks and boxings upside the head. He just laughs and lightly defends himself with his wings. It's all a gesture of love, after all!

A feather over four feet tall Light and Free is as orange as a Spark ever could be; some have likened his feathers to an orange opal, especially with the preening he does to ensure they shine. His yellow chest and under-wing feathers also show this care as well; visually he's quite a handsome firebird! His golden eyes always glimmer with mischief and charm.



Runners Have Strong Legs Female Skvader Lepicerin

Mindspeech: Italics #238b71

Most people tend to think of rabbits as timid, skittish creatures, and in some sense it's true. Even among the Lepicerin many are more apt to running and hiding than standing their ground when fights break out. Typically it's left to the Jackalopes to fight. Well, though 'just' a scout and not one to actively seek out a fight on her own behalf Runner is a live wire in her own right. She has no problem showing everyone just what it means to get 'rabbit punched' or 'rabbit kicked.' (Like cat-kicked, but she's a rabbit, you know.) Startle her, make her feel threatened, or in any way get under her feathers and BAM! That's what happened one day when she was taking a break to feed while scouting for her Warren. There she was just minding her own business when she heard the sounds of feathers being ruffled by the wind. Before she could even locate the source of the noise WHAM! A phoenix was rolling end over end with her across the grass. Momentarily stunned, when Runner realized what had happened and how he was flirting with her even as he was apologizing she did the only reasonable thing for a Lepicerin to do: balled herself up and kicked him as hard as she could! Through all her scolding he just laughed and dodged her follow-up kicks and punches, still apologizing and complimenting her in the same breath. After that it seemed that no matter where she turned Light and Free was showing up. Her friends started teasing that he had a crush on her which she brushed off. But over time as he hung around more and helped her warren and herself out she started to think of him as a friend, then admired and respected him, and finally admitted that she had feelings for him. Though whenever he teases her she has no issue with showing off her boxing skills once more to remind him of 'proper behavior.' (Hah, yeah right, it's flirting and everyone knows it!)

Runner looks much like a Silver Fox Rabbit with black fur shot through with silver-white hairs. Her dark brown eyes are friendly with a deeper fires fully able to come to the fore when needed. Her wings match her fur with a white line across each one, though occasionally they have a broken or mis-aligned feather from when she has to 'reprimand' her beloved Phoenix.

Song of the Sea Female Swell Sweid

Mindspeech: None; Song of the Sea can only use a Sweid's whale-like singing at varying volumes in conjunction with empathy

Song of the Sea is a Swell who is prone to sorrow and loneliness due to being utterly isolated from others of her kind and in fact many other species on Teragaia. She is unable to Mindspeak. Instead she can only use their whale-like singing mixed with an Empathy ability to reach out, and to most her singing is unintelligible. She also can't readily receive Mindspeech from others. The only creature that thus far she's been able to communicate with is her beloved Eyes to the Heart, who acts as her voice and her comfort. She is desperate for friends and this has made her also very loyal to the ones she has, to the point that Song of the Sea readily will go along with anything they want and help them with whatever they need. She also craves physical affection, meaning that she will leave the water more often than most other Sweid if it means being with those she loves. Only with them can she find what she believes is happiness and the balm for her heart she needs.

At only eleven feet long Song of the Sea is a rather small Swell. She has the typical body shape for her rank with their unique delicate claws and flowing fins like a betta, and maintains the wave-making and hover abilities. Her body's base color is an almost neon red with metallic blue, irregular blotches all over it that turn into water-ripple like thin streaks on her fins and tailfin, making it very easy to identify her at a distance. She always wears a necklace that Eyes to the Heart made for her, a waterproof, durable chain with three of the Zaithand's teeth on it.


Eyes to the Heart Female Tributary Zaithand

Mindspeech: Italics #77c4ee

Born with projective synesthesia Eyes to the Heart has always had trouble in noisy spaces. Mindspeech has always translated as breezes and currents of colors that she can also translate to the emotions behind the voices. So anywhere that was crowded would quickly become a torrent of color and emotion and overwhelming. So she tended to seek out quiet, lonely places or bury her head in pillows. It's not that she dislikes gatherings - she's actually quite friendly and personable - but sometimes it's just simply too much. And it's something that's hard for a lot of people to understand, that conflict of what she wants and what she needs. That is until she met Song of the Sea and found someone who not only understood what it was to be different but was able to give her shelter when she needed it, safe and snug underwater beneath a flowing fin. That she acts as the Swell's Mindvoice to others is an easy task, even when there are crowds; the gentle singing from her beloved through her ears helps mute all the other distractions.

Eyes to the Heart is a lithe water-panther, sleek lines and graceful muscles. Her body is dark brown with light brown rings around her neck and gold flecks on her back. Her eyes are coral pink, though they darken when she's in distress.

Their Story
Sometimes life deals a rough hand to an individual. Song of the Sea is one such individual. From the moment of her birth she was unable to Mindspeak, in any sense. And though she can sing as her kind can hers is often muted and quiet, and it quickly became clear that her Pod couldn't understand her very well. She had to use body language and her mother often had to physically guide and show what would've otherwise been told. It left her sad and isolated from her peers. Though they weren't intentionally unkind they just didn't know how to communicate with her. It left her to leave her Pod and wander alone, too depressed to remain with her family no matter how much they loved her and how much she loved them. The silence in her head that had no outlet was simply unbearable. She came to an underwater cove and curled up within it and sang her heart out.

And someone heard. A female Zaithand swam into the cove unseen, feeling the sorrow. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say seeing the sorrow. Eyes to the Heart was born with synesthesia, to be specific the projective version of it when it comes to mindspeech and sound. Both constantly are interwoven with color depending on the emotions tied to them and in a world where sound and noise and Mindspeech are nigh-continuous only the depths of the water, where all is muffled, offered solace. This particular day her chosen river had actually guided her out into the sea, somehow remaining fresh despite the normal mixture of saltwater. It was stunning to be in such depths, so comforting, so quiet, until tendrils and waves of sorrowful colors began weaving through the waves. It was so sad that she felt compelled to follow and see who was suffering so. She was led to a place where salt- and fresh-water met, a halocine. Whether it was the IF or natural didn't matter. What Eyes to the Heart found did. It was Song of the Sea, mourning her isolation. And it was something that Eyes to the Heart could understand clearly. Perhaps it was their differing species, perhaps it was the Zaithand's own situation that made her able, but Eyes to the Heart heard the Swell, and knew what she was trying to say. And when she replied, Song of the Sea heard the Tributary.
Now Eyes to the Heart works as speaker for Song of the Sea, and when things are too rough on Eyes to the Heart Song of the Sea meets her in the water and they retreat to a place quiet and deep in their favorite lake, a safe place for them both.

Their Story
Sometimes when a Hellhound pup seeks approval from their elders it comes at a price. Strength and ferocity are prized, especially when one is the sole surviving offspring of an Alpha and Beta. Even before his rank marks were revealed Strong Enough had learned the hard way that he was never to hear a kind word or see tenderness from his parents. The closest thing to gentleness was when he was sick or injured, and even then his mother who should have been the most nurturing would be very short and terse with him often saying how he should be enduring enough to not be this way. This left him with a gaping hole in his heart that he didn't know how to fill. As he got older he discovered that other female Hellhounds desired him both for his strength, his appearance, and his status as a Beta. But after participating in a few chases he realized their affections were shallow and vapid, vanishing quickly when their own changing moods. Strong Enough was left depressed and cold towards others which only increased his 'moody, untouchable' appeal. It was honestly very frustrating and eventually drove him to leave his birth Terror. For a long time he wandered seeking…he didn't know what. He had no faith in love, no trust for others, and an unapproachable aura that did the exact opposite. His icy demeanor was his mystique, and his physical beauty drew all eyes. But even when he dared make a connection it always ended the same: in disappointment.

Then one day he was trying to hunt when he happened to target the same mundane deer as a Noon Majebe. They both lunged at the same time, teeth finding their targets at the same time, and it was impossible to say who exactly brought the buck down. Where he was about to depart she instead offered to share the kill with him. He was hesitant - why such an act? - but he was hungry and so agreed. He tried to stay cold, not answering her conversation attempts with anything but monosyllabic replies. He expected the usual responses to his persona…. But got none. She was warm, and friendly, and didn't seem to see him as others did. She even offered, since he seemed to be alone, to hunt and travel together. It was so unique that he agreed, if he made it sound begrudging and more practical than anything. Over several months she melted his shell until he found himself falling in love with her, and that honestly scared him. The tension in him built until he erupted at her. He yelled at her one night as they rested how could she do this to him? How could she make him fall in love with her because it would always end the same way. No one was strong enough.

She took no offense, and when he was done stood, walked over to him, licked his face, and said that she was glad he cared about her as much as she cared about him. She'd been too bashful to tell him. As for the strength of her love she'd been with him this long, hadn't she? Yes, she found him handsome, and she loved his personality - the one he often kept hidden - and so let him see just how strong her love was. It, she was certain, could weather even his internal storm. They have not been far from one another since.

Is Your Love Strong Enough Male Beta Hellhound

Mindspeech: Bold #850000

Strong Enough has not had an easy life, and it's given him a rather jaded view on things. He doesn't trust easy as no wise Beta does and he can naturally lead and issue orders both from and without a higher authority present. Confidence he has in spades. But there's always a sense of sorrow in Strong Enough, a disappointment with the world in general that can only be appeased by finding those that he can trust with the most valuable thing he possesses: his heart. That vulnerability is something he refuses to let show in public and if he is willing to let down that guard then you know your own love is strong enough to reach his heart.

As are many Hellhounds, Strong Enough is rich, dark black all over his five foot tall form save for the three blood-red stripes on his left shoulder which he tends to lick when he needs to self-reassure. His eyes blaze red especially when he's angry. The fur along the back of his neck and on the top of his head is a bit longer than the rest giving him a mohawk vibe; it sticks up about an inch only to flop over to one side no matter what he does to it and Rock in the Sea refuses to let him trim it. It's a mark of his love for her that he gives in to this whim of hers, her sole request of him.


Like a Rock in the Sea Female Noon Majebe

Mindspeech: Color #44944d

Rock in the Sea is as steady an individual as you might imagine. Little alarms her, little irritates her. She sets her mind to something and does it. She makes decisions and sticks to them until they're proven to be wrong. If obstacles get in her way she finds a way around them or through them. It's admirable, really. And it's a quality that helped Rock in the Sea out quite a bit when she met Strong Enough. At first she just saw someone who was sad, lonely, and wanted to help. Then she came to cherish his company, and love him. It wasn't a pitying love or one drawn from physical attraction (she's fairly certain they can't even have pups/cubs at all), nor from a desire to 'fix' his personality or whatever you might call it. That was a part of him, and she was determined to stick by him until either she was able to tell him her feelings or until she could determine how he felt about her. Thankfully for both of them he reached the breaking point first and that settled that! A little quiet determination, like a rock withstanding the waves of the sea, paid off in spades.

Weighing in at around two hundred pounds Rock in the Sea is a bit of a daintier Noon Majebe. Physically her profile is much more leopard than jaguar, and in her case she takes the pelt from a snow leopard. Her fur is pale blush, just as pale as can be with appropriately rose-petal pink rosettes, and the smoke at her ankles and tailtips are bright red though just like snow leopards are known to do one tailtip or another can be often found in her mouth when she's at rest. Her glacier blue eyes might seem cold at first glance but they are quite the opposite: always warm with love and friendship until her oft-dormant anger is roused when they darken dangerously.

{{Both are inspired by the song Is Your Love Strong Enough

))

Express Yourself Genderless Cuddlebug Steam Athid

Mindspeech: Italics

The freedom to express oneself in whatever matter they deem best (as long as no harm comes to others, naturally) is at the heart of Express Yourself. From the moment they emerged from their pile of birth materials they felt this with every spring and drop of oil in their bodies. It is a cause they joyfully champion as they help those around them who are struggling with expressing themselves, finding their groove in life as it were, to do so without fear or hesitation as they themselves have regardless of how these expressions match or clash with the Athid's own; to each their own and be it celebrated! They have thrown off the 'yoke' of gender and has had experts in all things machining modify their body with places for interchangeable adornments: screw-on cogs, slots for bits of metal embellishments to securely slide into, click-in studs and plates in a variety of colors and materials, and anything else they can find or create that perks their interest. Granted, this might cause anyone accompanying them to an event to be late as they have to find just the 'right' appearance. Endlessly jubilant and charismatically confident, Express Yourself has never met a stranger not hesitates to inquire about if their attire is an expression of their tastes or personality. Be prepared for some uncomfortable moments here and there!

Though most Steam Athid take on unusual forms Express Yourself is a rather simple Preying Mantis. But though their basic frame is the familiar shape depending on the whim of the day they may have any various flourish or adornment on their silvery body. Standing a nicely tall three feet at the head give or take a few inches when they fully straighten they make ample use of their forelegs to manipulate both their personal decorations and any adornments Void might take for themselves as well, if they are able to.



I've Forged a Beaten Path Female Esurio Rynther

Mindspeech" Color #c7a57e

Due to her past Beaten Path has something of a chip on her shoulder, a suspicion of any kindness offered and a hesitation to make herself vulnerable by caring or believing others care about her. The sole exception to this is her mate, Willing Errand Boy, whom she often clings to like a life preserver (perhaps in her case it is more literal than just figurative). He is her rock and her safe place where she knows she is always accepted. But beneath all these emotional scars is a kind, loving lady who just wants to be loved in return.

Beaten Path, as many Esurio, always looks sickly and thin. Cream with a single large brown patch that drapes over like an irregular blanket split by the white streak of fur down her back. Her gray horns are often blunted, something she does intentionally with Willing Errand Boy's help as she doesn't want to accidentally hurt him when they cuddle together, and they match her gray hooves. Her brown eyes are often flinty with bluster.


The Willing Errand Boy Byrren Caradras

Mindspeech" Bold #124237

Once, a long time ago, Willing Errand Boy was surly and rude, highly irregular for someone who had participated in the Grand Melee. He was unhappy with his ranking as a Byrren and wasn't shy about letting anyone know it. But after some talking by his Granddam he saw his place in a new light and it turned his life around. Instead of being ashamed of being simply an 'other' Willing Errand Boy decided to make himself as useful as he could to everyone around him. This has left him quite multiskilled in everything from childcare to various lores to storytelling and even funeral rites. He's quite willing and even happy to do whatever is required from those he respects, such as Void and his mate Beaten Path, even if others might say the tasks were demeaning to a Caradras or a male. This is the role he's been blessed with, and he embraces it with all that he is!

With a dark steel hide flecked with silver to give him a sheen and inky black claws on his paws, Willing Errand Boy stands a proud seven feet tall at the withers give or take a few inches. His mane and fetlocks are a shocking white and never cut, making his white rank feathers even more difficult to spot. His tail blade matches his claws ebony color, kept to a gleaming edge. Perhaps surprising for a Caradras, a species known for their hard personalities, his emerald eyes are often kind and warm and match the jagged horn on his brow.


Their Story (Inspired roughly by The Beaten Path by Fox Amoore)

Being the weakest in a family of strength is a hard thing. That was the life dealt to Beaten Path. Her family up until her birth had never had an Esurio among them. There were the occasional Lues but they considered themselves 'blessed' to be eternally strong. Then Beaten Path was born and their blessings broke. This angered the Herd and once she was weaned she was all but ignored by the adults aside from the minimum care a young one needed to survive - for there was strength in numbers even if one of those numbers was weak - and bullied by her peers. This put a hardness in Beaten Path's heart. She never had anyone to support her the way she wanted, the way she saw others in her Herd doing for one another. Even her own mother at one point told her in frustration 'I am shamed for bearing you.' Angered and broken-hearted the Esurio finally had enough and ran away, deciding that life alone was better than this misery.

But then, during a bad storm about a year later as she was trying to shelter in a thicket that was really too small for her Beaten Path was found by someone: a Caradras! Willing Errand Boy had been out gathering herbs for his Legion's healer when he'd stumbled upon the Rynther as he sought shelter for himself. He'd spied the herb he'd been looking for - the thicket that Beaten Path had by happenstance sheltered in - and in hoping for a quick success nearly snatched her tail instead of the plant! After apologizing for the mistake and explaining his errand he convinced the suspicious bovine to follow him to a cave he'd spotted earlier in the day to shelter. It was a tense few hours though slowly, mostly by talking about his Legion Willing Errand Boy got Beaten Path to talk. What surprised her was that he very well understood her feelings. He was also born among the lowest rank in his family and had been bitter about it. He was occasionally bullied by his older brothers who were warriors. Though there were other Byrren among them he saw nothing glorious about them and hated his life. But then his granddam told him something that turned his life around: 'You cannot change who you are, but you can be the best 'you' that you can be. You are Byrren. What happens if there are no Byrren to make armor or keep the history of the Legion? What happens if there are no Byrren to bury the dead, to watch over the foals of the warriors when they go to fight, or make shelter when we are without? The Legion would suffer, even be destroyed. The roots of the tree may be buried in the dirt but without them the leaves wither and die. So what kind of Byrren are you?" Those words struck home and changed his life. After that Willing Errand Boy changed entirely. He decided that he would be the ultimate helper to the Legion, learning to do everything that a Byrren might need and though he is far from a master of any one skill it means that wherever there's gap in the ranks he can step up to take his place. This new perspective had also given him a keen eye for seeing the value in others and he saw great potential in Beaten Path… if she was willing to give herself the chance. By the time the storm stopped she had begrudgingly decided to accept his offer to go back with him, though what purpose she could have in a Caradras Legion Beaten Path had no idea.

A month later she found out when a rockslide buried the entrance to a ravine where several foals and their caretakers had sheltered from a threatening Legion. Though strong the Caradras simply didn't have the sheer muscle power needed to move the biggest stones as their warriors were tired and injured from the battle. But when they contrived a harness Beaten Path was able to move the stones enough to get them out.

Though being welcome among the Legion Beaten Path knew she would never be a Caradras and couldn't live fully happy in their regimented ways, so a couple of months later she departed from their company. However she was no longer alone: In one another's eyes Beaten Path and Willing Errand Boy had seen their own souls reflected They had both forged through a difficult trail - in Beaten Path's case was still forging through it - and felt together they could tear a clear trail when pressed to do so. Though always welcome among the Legion a new home awaited them and they have now found it with Void.

The (Soon, Hopefully?) Sorcerer's Apprentice Male Cuddlebug Arcane Athid

Mindspeech: Italics #d035be

Arcane Athid are known for being both task-dedicated and if the pun may be pardoned bookwormish. Apprentice has both traits under his carapace, though he is focused with all their bulldog tendencies on a single topic: Magic! When he emerged from his birth-material he had natural questions about life and his purpose in it. Upon learning he was an 'Arcane Cuddlebug Athid' he sought answers about what 'arcane' meant. And finding out it related to magic he believed that he himself would have magic powers. This was not the case but it has not stopped him from trying. He's studied and searched and learned, and though Apprentice has yet to do much more than simple slight-of-hand prestidigitation - the kind of simple magic relying on misdirection and tricks more than true power like a mage - he knows it's only a matter of time! He practices often and loves showing Edrei the new tricks he's mastered between the hunt for True Magic. Though it might require his Bonded to tuck him in or let him nap in her lap when his reading tires him out.

Apprentice, stretching at an impressive two feet long, looks like an Tailed Emperor Butterfly Catterpillar, though he'll never go through metamorphosis of course. His entire body is a warm, almost soft brass color with a tiny bit of green patina around the segments of his body and legs, with the shield-like plate on his head a shining silver tipped with gold at its highest points for contrast.



The Silent Offering Female Dawn Majebe

Mindspeech: None, she is Mute.

Above all things, Silent Offering is dedicated to her mate, Be Welcome. The sole daughter of her Pride's leader, Silent Offering was treasured and raised like a princess. She grew up beautiful, kind, loving, courageous, and a true prize for anyone able to win her heart and the approval of her father. Her love is such that she willingly serves his needs and wants and even gave her voice to spare his life from a curse. Silent Offering is self-described as a 'willing servant of love' and that being written with none of the negative connotation that 'servant' often holds. Though they met by almost chance they are true soul mates.

That Silent Offering is slim and graceful a Majebe is nothing of a surprise, given she is of the Dawn rank. Her fur is so soft blue that she almost appears white with amethyst rosettes over her body, a color that is picked up in the pastel purple of the smoke around her ankles and the tip of her tail. Her wings are also this pale blue though they are only tipped in the amethyst, rather than having the rosettes. Her sapphire eyes enhance the jewel-like motif that drapes her persona.



Be Welcome to the Den of the Just Male Dusk Majebe
Mindspeech: Color #a85733

Be Welcome can be described as a hospitable and honorable creature. Good of heart, he's much like the heroes of legend: to the poor, the needy, the defenseless, he will always offer shelter and food and his protection. He is devoted to his mate, Silent Offering, and is quite affectionate towards her often times licking, nuzzling, or cuddling with her. He also acts as her Mindvoice since she sacrificed her speech for him; their devotion to one another has reached the depths where she only has to give him a look and a few movements on her body for her will to be known to him.

Just a few inches larger than his mate, Be Welcome is deep gray that fades into a softer shade as it goes up to his shoulders and back. The tips of his toes are also lighter gray, though the darkness of his face almost makes the black lines that run down from his eyes invisible. His smoke curls from his face, cheeks, ankles, and tail tip in frosty blue curls.

Their Story

Growing up Silent Offering was a quite normal Majebe. She was beloved and doted on by her father and mother, their only child, and considered a princess of her Pride. So when she was of an age to have her first Chase her father sought far and wide for all those he felt were worthy of her to participate. But to even be considered worthy young males they had to successfully pass a series of increasingly harder tests. One by one all of them fell by the wayside until much to his surprise only one remained standing: Be Welcome. Well-known among his Pride and even others for his noble kindness and welcoming nature, he was considered quite a fine potential match for Silent Offering and they were introduced. She initiated the Chase a couple of days later and though some uninvited guests tried to participate Be Welcome outflew and out-raced them all, earning her admiration and love. They were utterly inseparable after that, including the moment when Be Welcome fought a deadly wyvern to protect the Pride and his mate. He was stung and near death. Silent Offering, distraught, sought the aid of a Druid known to live in a nearby mountain glade to save him. She said she could, but the magic required a sacrifice to the power. This Silent Offering gave up her voice for her beloved's life, what she considers a very worthy trade. Though at first guilty about the 'suffering' inflicted upon his mate Be Welcome has since reconciled himself to her choice, that just as he was willing to pay his life for hers she was willing to give up to her life for him and in truth the Druid was very kind, giving them a life together once more. It has only deepened the love between them to an unbreakable bond.