Sandstorm Companions
The sand was brutal when combined with the wind. Behemoth wasn’t sure how to combat it, just kept her head down and tried to trudge forward. She hadn’t been on her own long, but that didn’t matter. She just wanted to escape.
The pup growing inside her did not help matters much.
Still, Behemoth wasn’t entirely smart when going about things, alone with a child on the way, in unfamiliar territory away from civilization - the rising wind was just the tip of the iceberg (which was hilarious, and not in a ha ha funny way, considering they were far from any cold climate).
So imagine her surprise when through the swirling sand, she spotted something, a flash of color, a sparkle that reminded her of the night sky. And among the moving stars, something that resembled ash and blood.
This is it, this is how she dies. The skies have parted and come down to the earth to bring her home.
But it wasn’t the sky after all, just a very convincing illusion of a starry nebula painted upon a runner’s side. It defied logic, although her own glass patterns that swirled and stole color when she stood at rest for too long also went against any laws of logic as well. A second runner stood at the other runner’s side, their pelt ghosted and pale, with hints of red that almost resembled bloodmark poking through, head down as she tried to protect her long ears from the sand and wind.
“Come.” The voice felt down to earth, but also it was hard to determine a possible age from it, the speaker could be young or ageless, and Behemoth felt very young under the gaze. The order left no room for any question, so the glass marked runner followed, falling in line behind the overo and opalescent females. Even if the sparkles made her heart hurt, she swallowed her pride.
***
Nyx was not a normal vayon. She held magics of old, was more spirit than anything else, and one with the land.
She usually kept to herself, only bestowing others with her presence when they appease her - usually in the form of gifts. But when she felt a presence out in the growing sandstorm, she felt drawn to it. Finding a young vayron, clearly torn by whatever she had experienced, belly growing with life inside it, a feeling of strange magic within her - well, Nyx had a hard time turning away.
Nyx had already welcomed another vayron into her care, giving a promise of safe passage when the overo female dropped some gemstones out at a shrine, clearly knowing the stories of the land.
Her power was strongest under the stars, but the storm that ravaged the desert blocked much of the sky, the wind growing hotter and faster. The trio of runners could barely keep their eyes open, the flecks of sand hurting the delicate organs, and ripped through their short lisse fur with ease. She knew they would be covered with small cuts by the time they escaped this.
Thankfully, shelter wasn’t too far away. A small cluster of buttes would provide some protection, and if they had any luck, there might be some cave-like systems the three could hide within.
Finding a suitable spot, she gestured, letting the two go in first as she brought up the rear. It was unusual for her to come out when the stars were not visible, but tonight was a special exception to the rules, and she was sure the other females appreciated her interference.
***
Enigma knew of the stories of the starry vayron that was like a spirit, called upon in times of need in the depths of the desert. What was not known was the glassmarked vayron. Anytime she slowed down, Enigma swore her markings swirled and moved, but that would be nonsense right?
Of course the opal wasn’t any better, and among the sparkles and constellations in the milky sky that covered her sides, Enigma was convinced she saw a shooting star. So freaky.
The ghosted female decided to keep to herself, head down and backed up against the rock formations that protected them. Having the longest ears of the bunch and arguably the most sensitive hearing, Enigma listened to the roaring wing and the sand that sounded a lot bigger than it was as it crashed like waves.
She wanted to say something, but neither of her companions seemed like the talking type. Everything she knew about the opal made her seem ethereal and beyond her mortal coils. The glass female was withdrawn, shivering even though the air was hot, her belly just starting to show signs of a pup, and refusing to make eye contact with either Enigma or the opal.
This was fine. They were safe from the storm and that was all that mattered.
A gust of wind tore into the cave, bringing sand and into their faces. The opal moved to stand in the entryway, but Enigma was larger, pushing the two females back and using her slightly bigger size to block as much as she could, moving towards the back of the poor excuse for a cave. The nebulosa female covered what little Enigma couldn’t, and they both prevented the clearly terrified glass girl from any harm.
***
Behemoth couldn’t do much more than tremble. The storm only terrified her, on top of everything else in her life, and the close proximity to the sky looking opal, she felt like she was going to vomit.
Thankfully it was over in no time, both of the other females clearly noticing her displeasure and moving away, giving her space. She released the tension in her body, allowing herself to relax just a little, even as it felt like the sand was rising up in her throat and closing it off.
The ovoro runner did not hide the concerned glances she looked back at the pregnant female, while their opal companion stayed aloof, inched forward to peer outside without being in the direct blast of the storm, as if she could see clearly into the night, see the stars and the moon without the swirling sand in the way. With how she carried herself, guided them without apparent issue through the storm, she very well might be able to.
The white and red runner cleared her throat, causing both females to turn to her, narrowed eyes.
“I’m uhh, Enigma. Just figured I could introduce myself. You know, stuck here together and all.”
Behemoth rolled her eyes, but the overo runner only continued.
“I mean, I know you’re the lady of the night, the lady of mysteries and shadow.” The opal only hummed in response, and Enigma grew quiet then, clearly unsure of what else to say. She seemed social indeed, and it reminded Behemoth of her sister before her accident.
The silence stretched, the only sound being the wind.
***
Nyx saw the signs indicating the storm would be over soon. She was tempted to leave them once it was finished, but this Enigma had given her an offering, and Nyx wasn’t sure how the pregnant runner would fare. She’d lead them to the edge of her territory, dumping out near the closest city. They shouldn’t need her after that.
“The storm is lessening, slowly. Another hour or two and we may be fit to move.”
Her voice was soft, yet carried to the others easily, heard over the wind as if magic spoke the words instead of her throat, a cadence that sounded otherworldly. She had been told it was eerie when she did that, and based on the barely repressed shudder on her new companions, she knew it was still the case.
Enigma grunted, audibly agreeing to hear her words, while their other companion stayed quiet. Nyx couldn’t understand the female’s exact circumstances, but it was clear she was hurting from something. Enigma seemed oblivious, and Nyx didn’t feel like explaining.
What was absolutely fascinating was the swirling markings seeming to move on the glass runner, and the cave seemed to grow duller in comparison. She felt strange magic at work, and it made her curious, but there was no way the pregnant female would open up about it, so Nyx was content to just observe.
And so the trio continued to wait, the glasswork female finally sliding down to the floor, allowing herself rest, even if it was clear she wanted to bolt if the others grew too close to her. Enigma joined her, the sudden motion making the pregnant vayron flinch.
Deciding to ignore them, Nyx continued to watch the storm, finding it infinitely more interesting than the other females. In truth, the opalescent runner felt detached from the aspect of socialization, preferring her solitude in most cases. The swirling sand had a bigger story to tell when she listened to the wind as it carried the tales of more than just one vayron had to speak of.
As the storm moved on, the sound of the wind died down. That alone was likely the only reason the pair of females heard the glasswork speak.
“Behemoth.” A pause. “My name.”
***
Well, Enigma practically beamed from that knowledge. The other female opened up after all! She glanced over at the Personification of the Night, whose eyes had narrowed just slightly at those words, that motion betraying her interest.
“Nice to meet you Behemoth.” The overo runner decided not to push her luck, and settled in with a content hum.
It was just as the constellation runner predicted, the storm dying out in short time and the trio made to move once more.
“I’ll lead you to the edge of my territory. You’ll be able to make it to a village from there.”
Enigma got to get paws, quickly following the opal female. Behemoth was slower, hindered by her slightly swollen belly, but her glare spoke of determination, and a refusal for help, so the pair let her be, and she eventually tottered after them in short time.
There was still some wind and sand that blew around, but it wasn’t a full storm, and mostly an annoyance than anything else. The sky was finally clear, and Enigma stared in awe as her companion’s pelt matched the starry painting above them. Oddly enough, the open skies seemed to make Behemoth more nervous, and she pushed them onwards, not sparing a glance at the dome above.
Strange as her companions were, Enigma felt the entire experience surreal, and she was content to go at her pace as the lights from the village up ahead left a soft glow on the horizon.
-End-
Journey Trial for Behemoth 9519, Nyx 15327, Enigma 14622
♦ Harsh weather shapes the community’s way of life over much of the three continents. Draw your Reoseans facing strong weather conditions - for example sandstorms in Thedale, blizzards/avalanches in Roenden, or hurricanes in Warrenfall. How do they deal with these?
WC 1775 +17
Purity Trial +2
Other Reo Behemoth 9519 | Enigma 14622 +2
Corresponding Land +1
Total = 22 CP
WC 1775 +17
Purity Trial +2
Other Reo Behemoth 9519 | Nyx 15327 +2
Corresponding Land +1
Total = 22 CP
Personal +3
WC 1775 +17
Purity Trial +2
Other Reo Nyx 15327 | Enigma 14622 +2
Corresponding Land +1
Total = 25 CP