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Songs: Ohia
"The winds may howl, and the tempests may rage, but nothing can deter a true pirate captain from their insatiable hunger for both adventure and tangerines."
- tangerines
- fresh sea breeze
- handsome booty
- phony elites
- superstition
- cowards
Undisputedly crazy, that's how most folks would describe her. The entire court of Montezuma knew about the once lady, now outcast - Dodorothy. Although Captain Dodo was one of the most recognisable local legends, no-one knew how it came to be that she left the palace and chose to roam the seas on the deck of her trusty St. Terka.
The sight of mighty galleon entering the harbour always made the foals squeal in delight, and even the most conservative of old mares came around to browse through the pearls and jades that Dodo's Crew brought to the Capital.
As for the Captain herself... She just stayed on deck, sipping the rum and inspecting her impeccable tangerines through a spyglass. These golden fruit were the reason why locals thought Dodorothy completely crazy. All her journeys seemed to revolve around obtaining the precious fruit, rather than usual riches pirates were associated with. Why? That remained a mystery. It was however, crystal clear that these citrus meant more to the mare than her crew and all bounties she accumulated throughout her campaigns.
The members of her breed always stuck out from the courtly crowd. The light glow of feathers, which make up their manes and tails, was like a signalling beacon - here comes a Kuda Pariso. The ancient breed was known not only for their extravagant features but also for their mystic arts.
Dodo, however, drew the short straw. The magical powers appeared to have skipped her, and the looks were just as lacking. Her coat had the most basic gray colour one could ever encounter, and feathers were equally unimpressive and far between.
The only thing that made her stick out from the crowd was an orange tint to her nose. A beak, her brother called it. He was also the one who came up with the nickname that stuck with her for life. "You are a scruffy little bird." he'd say, "You're a Dodo."
She made up for her looks with wits and athleticism. Knowing she would never become a court mage, she set her mind to warcraft and a goal of becoming a master tactician and swordsmare.
- feathers of her mane and tail have a delicate glow in the dark
- athletic build
- pirate hat is optional, but highly appreciated
- she is a wild horse - no bridles / saddles, please
And in the depths of me treasure chest, amidst the doubloons and trinkets, rests a crate of tangerines—a symbol of the zestful life I lead."
"I'll get you for it!" she yelled, blinking sand from her eyes. Dodo was laughing, but the tears caused by the tiny pebbles felt a little too real.
The gray mare bucked and made a turn in mid-air, rushing after her brother. She lowered her neck and dived under the colts belly, picking herself up at the very last moment. The yellow stallion got trapped mid-air, rearing his legs and chuckling in delight.
"You win, Dodo! You win, you silly bird!" Reeson cried as she let him get back to the ground.
"Of course I win. I don't need stupid sand magic to beat you in a fight!" she said proudly, feathers on her mane raising in the sudden burst of confidence. Maybe she was born with no elemental abilities, but she was quick as the wind and firece as fire.
Soon, she thought, I will be old enough to train with real sword. No foal in the kingdom will ever laugh at me then.
She stood as far away from the fire as seemed acceptable. The great bonfire lit up the beach and sent shadows dancing around the cliffs. She witnessed the Oathtaking ceremony many times, but never before did she realise how haunting it looked.
"You really should congratulate your brother." A murmuring voice spoke directly behind her.
"If he receives more praise today, he will grow wings and fly away." She laughed, perhaps a little bitterly. Her gaze followed Reeson, who danced and swayed around the fire, dressed in fine jewels and looking positively foolish. "Who's a silly bird now, eh?" She thought to herself.
"Speaking of flying away, Dodo... We lost another City in the South. I will need your sword there."
Only then did she turn away from the dancing Mages and her eyes met the King. Perhaps it was her eyes struggling to adjust to the contrast, but Montezuma looked bleak. His green eyes, usually so full of kindness, were distraught. It made Dodo shiver.
She bowed deeply and, despite everything, felt a warm sensation in her stomach. She felt proud. Everyone else stood mesmerised by her brother and other sworn mages, yet the King was here with her.
"My King, it will be an honour to fight in your name."
The King lay on his golden throne, his head hanging low under the heavy crown. Surrounding him were the Mages dressed in their jewels and fancy robes. "A menagerie full of parrots." She thought of them.
"My King, the Enemy is nearing the Capital. Grant us permission to evacuate civilians, please." Dodo hardly recognised her own voice. Bitter like an orange peel, barely more than a growl.
"The King is sure our defences will hold." Altacoya gave her a wicked look. "Or have you failed us, Dodo?"
The grey mare spat with blood and turned directly to the brown stallion.
"Sir, I will hold the walls. The Capital will never fall, but the Enemy might have some vicious tricks. We should not endanger our people. Your people."
King's heavy green eyes met hers, but again, it was not he who spoke, but Reeson.
"Dodo, this is not the time and place. The King is gravely ill. Do your duty and do not complain. Unless you wish for the Mage Council to handle the defence efforts."
She blinked back her tears, thinking of the time, when Reeson and her were foals and nothing could stand between them. Life was simpler then.
"The King is sick because you lot poisoned him. Poisoned with lust and ambition, while the Empire paid the price. I will hold the walls, whatever it takes." She stood tall and gave a defiant look before turning to leave. She was already at the door before one last thing needed to be said. "Also, my rank is Captain."
The Capital glistened in the sun as if it were pure gold. Clementine had to squint her eyes to protect them from the sharp light.
"Ma, can I go on land this time? I wanna explore the City." The filly tilted her head, causing the feathered cap to fall to one side. Dodo gently lifted the hat so that her daughter could see again.
"You know we cannot go, Clem. You are my blood, and my blood is..."
"... forever banished from the City." The little filly finished sadly and got immediately distracted by her sister, who was chasing seagulls around the deck. "Hey, Kara! You are doing it wrong!"
And just like that, Dodorothy was alone.
As the ship entered the harbour, she could already make out a small crowd gathered to meet them. She knew the rumours spread about her in the City. She could not deny that she disappeared the same day the Capital got miraculously saved from the enemy, and the event made such a good base for stories. People whispered that she took part in striking the alliance, which allowed the Capital to operate as a city-state at the cost of being completely cut off from the rest of the world. She sold the Empire. She betrayed her King. She should have fought to the death.
"And yet they all flock to buy the tangerines brought by St. Terka." She thought bitterly.
For a moment, her mind filled with thoughts of her brother and Montezuma, whom she once called King. They lingered for a painful second before Dodo collected herself. She had a new family now and a new kingdom of sea foam and wild adventures. To think back was foolish.
"Prepare to unload!" Her voice boomed over the deck and met with a thrilled cry from her crew. "Tonight, we feed them all."
The Pretty Face, who luckily doesn't talk too much
For a moment he stole her heart and made her feel, like she can forget about the fallen kingdom and seven seas. For a moment they were a happy family. But life's complicated and romance is best in small doses.
The Smartass, who used to be amusing
She thought they'd walk through life together. But the world tore them apart. First, putting them on the opposite sites of a conflict. Now, leaving them continents apart.
The Emperor, who needs to be plundered.
She grew up watching him conquer and raise an Empire. She joined him as a soldier, when greed turned the tides against him. She remained loyal, even when he was cursed with a golden touch.
But the Emperor's fear of superstition grew so much, that he forgot about his people, and that was a line Dodo could not cross. She did what she thought was right and raised the flag on St. Terka.
The Sunshine, who must be protected at all cost.
Clementine dreams of wings and adventures and Dodo would move mountains to make these wishes come true. Her appearence changed everything for her mother. She is a reminder that life is not just about surviving, but that there's love and care and reason to keep trying.
The Moonlight, who guides her heart home.
Don't ever underestimate the protective instinct of a mother. Especially if that mother is a war hero and a captain. She is Dodo's glimmer of hope, moral compass and source of joy.
The Wrath, who, one day, will burn.
She was the one who introduced Dodo and Reeson to the world of politics and war. Reeson was drawn to her like a moth, Dodo knew getting close to her would only leave one burned. Altacoya didn't just control the fire, she was the fire that would see the world burn.
