[TheTravelingWriter]

Dropping out for the Lovelace Fawn.

[SukarettoYanagi]

Name:
Ecoo
Breedable:
Yes
Extra:
WiP<3

[Somnus]

I'm droping for the baby Royal White Elkrin.

Rider
Garret Lockbreaker

Name:
lappa

Personality

Breedable:
Yes, but she is going to be a mate for life, so I well be a bit picky.

Extra:
(1 piece of art and/or 1000 word max. story)

[Sable.]

She's so cute <3

[maluruloki]

Name:
Foetida - "fow-tee-dah", from the Latin name for a yellow rose hybrid
Breedable:
Yes, if she finds a male who can handle the thorns that come with the rose.
Extra:

From the journal of Rider Gesparez, Senior Elkrin Handler of Bramblewood Township

~*------------------------*~
Time passed. It always does with such unfeeling speed – no cares for mortal matters, no pausing for significant moments.

I suppose memories must do instead.

The memories bombarded me now, like incorporeal cannonballs, and even Foetida finally let out a whispery moan of distress. I turned my rheumy eyes towards the Elkrin doe and, as always, lost myself within the crystalline depths of her gaze. Once I had retreated from her beguiling irises, I found that I was looking at her – looking at her – for what felt like the first time once again.

The way the lamp’s glow glistened off the tips of her wiry coat, with its hidden aurora-lights of verdant sprint-green…palest wintry-blue…warmest summer browns, all hidden unless you really looked.
How the spiraling single-stranded wreaths of thorny plants mysteriously grew about her limbs and plusher tail.
…how the beautiful milky-yellow rose still blossomed like a fallen star, speaking to her feminine nature that so easily hid behind her tough exterior.

Foetida interrupted my misty ponderings, her voice as strong and certain as always.

My opinions have not changed, Rider mine. I refuse to part with you for some gangly spawn of a city’s slums.

It was hard hearing how angry and hurt she was; she radiated a sense of being betrayed.

“Foetida…my late-bloomer…you must not go to him in such a mood. My time with you has ended and you must accept it.” I could barely find the strength to speak aloud. The rotting sickness in my lungs sapped my energy daily now; my own petals were falling quickly. “I will not see the coming spring. I have accepted this. You must accept this too.”

I REFUSE!!! My ears rang despite her having made no audible sound. Immediately, I felt her leaning her face against my cheek, shivering. My Rider…I am so sorry…forgive me…I didn’t mean to hurt you… I summoned my senses and placed my quivering hand upon her broad cheek.

“You will hurt me most if you do not go to him, Foetida. He needs you far more than I.” How could I make her understand…? They were so perfectly suited, this Matteo and my Foetida.
Both so prickly on the outside, but within…such gorgeous souls. Both buried by their past, both needing a heart-friend to nourish the strangled happiness within.

I don’t want to hurt you…but I’m afraid. The Elkrin doe hadn’t stopped her gentle nuzzling of my neck. It was where she went to hide from the world, to shed precious tears where no one else could mistake them for weakness; since she was a fawn, she had hidden her face within my hair.

For a moment, I was sorely tempted to take back everything I had explained to her over the last few days and nights. I could convince her to remain with me until the end of my days.

No…I wasn’t alone… I had my own children…and grandchildren, even. But Foetida…?

She would be alone when I left this world.

Unless…

“It is natural to be afraid. We have discussed this many times, my Foetida.” I felt another cough coming on and the Elkrin was quick to grab my handkerchief from the bedside-stand. After the wrenching tremors ceased and the tickling passed, I took another deep breath. “You cannot start a journey without taking a first step and sometimes, those first steps are very scary.”

Like the time we had to visit the Towering Falls and deliver a message for your brother. A laughter graced her voice now as she carefully settled down, folding her long legs beneath her. She was at the height where lying down allowed her to rest her head on my stomach. She still hadn’t grown into her ears…and the silver bell. I reached out and touched it gently, making the chime ring clearly through the room.

“Yes…like that,” I whispered with a fond smile. I realized then that she was stalling and shook my head slowly. Foetida knew and let out a slow sigh, the bright lights leaving her eyes like a stormy sky. “You will be alone unless you go to him, my late-bloomer… You must make me proud, Foetida. Make your tribe proud. Make your human family proud…” I felt the stealthy tendrils of sleep overcoming me and she began to blur as my eyelids fluttered. I cursed old age mightily within the confines of my mind.

I will make you proud, old briar-patch… I will never forget you… You will always be in my heart…

Her words echoed softly in my mind, like the falling leaves of the autumn, and I fell to sleep with the weight of her head on my chest.

~*---------------*~

When I awoke next, it was twilight and the room felt very empty.

My Foetida had been the bravest she could be and left to seek her next Rider.

I prayed then that their friendship would blossom like the rose on her shoulder and it would glow as it once did…with me.


I end this journal with some regret, but it is not lingering. My happiness comes from knowing that my life is complete while another is just beginning.

A last memory...

...or a new beginning?

[.a m a r y l l i s.]

Edit;;
Dropping out, since I won't have time to finish.
Best of luck all!!

[Sykhe]

Name:
Briar

Breedable:
Yes

Extra:
w.i.p

[Sarill]

Name:
Acantha
Acantha means thorn
Breedable:
Yes
Extra:



Sorry for the slightly odd coloring on the background and tail, it was being finicky with me when I was trying to get the picture on the computer.



I flicked my hair out of my face, the red strands obscuring my vision. I really needed to get it cut, I thought to myself, pushing away a branch in front of me. I winced as a thorn dug into my palm, pain shooting up my hand. Gritting my teeth I yanked the thorn out of my palm, wincing as a bright bead of blood welled up to the surface.

I paused my climb for a moment, panting on the side of the hill. The climb was a lot of work, having to push through bushes and trees for every step. A slight ringing wavered through the air, reminding me of my original goal. I had to find the source of that ringing. It was taunting me, always lingering on the edge of my hearing. My curiosity drove me here, on this hill full of thorns, to find the source.

I started forward again. I wasn’t sure what I was going to find, but I knew that I was going to find something. The elusive ringing got louder until finally I reached the top of the hill, covered in scratches from the thorns.

“Hello?” I called into the trees, not expecting an answer. The bell rand in reply, startling me. I searched franticly for the source of the noise, not seeing anything but dense forest.

The bell rang a little farther out and I followed it. I was lead through the trees, following the bell. As I moved closer it pulled slightly farther away, drawing me into the forest. Branches scratched my face and arms as I pushed them aside, and my hair was full of twigs.

Eventually the forest opened up, a broad clearing appearing before me. I stepped into the open space, breathing a sigh of relief. Finally, no more thorns.

“Hello?” I called again, this time into the clearing. Something had brought me here, but I wasn’t sure why. “Is anyone there?”

The ringing tone spoke once more before a form emerged from the forest. She was an Elkrin, stunning in her purple-brown coat, highlighted with blues and greens. I had never seen an Elkrin before, and all I could be was stare in awe at her. Vines with thorns twined around her, and a flower was emblazoned on her shoulder.

“Hello,” I said once more, slightly in shock. I noted that there was a bell hanging from her ear, easily accounting for the sound that I had heard. “You are a beauty, aren’t you?”

She snorted, and I felt something brush along my mind, faint like a whisper. Hello, she replied in cool tones, resonating within my mind. Beauty is not everything. Strength and will are much more important than beauty. Beauty is a fickle mistress, and she will leave you when you least suspect it.

“One trait is not more important than the others,” I replied. “I do agree, strength and will are very important. But beauty is not always what is seen on the outside. Inner beauty stems from those traits and many more, combining to make a person beautiful beyond to the naked eye. Elkrins too,” I amended hastily, flicking my fair out of my face.

You make an interesting argument, she replied thoughtfully. But that is not my point. Why have you come here? Did you come seeking me?

“In a way, I suppose I did,” I answered. “I wanted to know where the source of the ringing noise had come from.”

Why?

“Curiosity, I suppose. I’m a very curious person, or so people tell me. I wanted to know what the sound was, so I came and found out.”

And was it worth it? You are all covered in scratches and cuts. Was finding out worth it?

“Of course it was! I found out the answer to my question, met an Elkrin, and even talked to you! As long as I can figure out the answer to my questions I am happy, whatever I have to go through.”

Is that so… She trailed off, her bell chiming slightly. So tell me, what is your name?”

“I’m Shayon. What is your name?”

I am Acantha. And you will be my rider.

“Wait, what?” I asked, confused. “Not that I am not honored, but why did you say that?”

I like you, and your persistence. You are my rider. Come here, the Elkrin said in a commanding voice, and I had no choice but to approach her. I gently laid a hand on her silky coat, reveling in the softness of it.

There is a bell on my back. Do you see it? I nodded yes, glimpsing the metal up against the thorns on her shoulders. Take it, and put it on.

I gently pried the bell out, and the leather cord it was strung on. I looped the necklace over my head and the bell jangled softly, the same tone as the one on her ear.

There we go. Now I can always find you, and you can always find me. Just listen for the bells. Now, let’s go. It’s time to explore the world.

“Go how?”

Climb on my back. While you are with me, I will take you through the thorns. Do not worry, as long as we are together.

Still slightly dazed, but with a happy warmth bubbling in my chest I climbed onto Acantha. I sat easily between the thorns on her, not worrying about getting cut. She darted out into the forest and I felt the wind through my hair, the trees going by on either side giving me a rush of exhilaration. Our bells chimed together, filling the air with their melodious sound. I hadn’t came looking for this, but there was no place I would rather be.

[Jendalie]

Just a reminder that the contest will be ending in about an hour. Be sure to make any edits before then.

[Atria]

This Elkrin is absolutely gorgeous!!!! Too bad I missed the beauty, Goodluck to those who tried out, I can tell some people really want her!