[rose;]

may we make two short stories, each 1000 words? I didn't think it would be a problem but I thought I'd just check to make sure ^^

[Benathorn]

Yes, that is fine with me. ^^

[Twisted_Swallow]

:Form:

Name:

Farren
Pronounced FARE-en
meaning handsome servant or thunder

Breedable:

Yes, when grown up

Short Story:

It has always been Coles dream to travel Eldemore searching for adventure and festivities and that was exactly what he did. Cole has years worth of stories but only one he would never forget and tresures more than anything. It was the seventeenth of march and Eldemore was celebrating

[pecan]

:Form:

Name: Future

Breedable: Yes

The Rider

Greetings, stranger. I am Rook, rider of Future and the narrator of the story. I was born in a tiny village in the far south-east of Eldemore, where no Elkrins were ever recorded in the village's sprawling history. From the moment I was six, weapons were thrust into my then innocent hands and I was taught to fight, to adventure. It was survival of the fittest, and thankfully I was not the weaker ones, who bore fresh scars on their bodies every weary day. My family was poor, though, and when i turned seventeen, my crimes started like a wildfire, extremely difficult to be stopped. I held a guilty conscience in my heart every time I came back with the loot, and I would reassure myself to cover up for my dark side,"It's for the sake of the family." Never would I have thought that the most majestic of creatures would bravely push past my surface of night and ice to the warmth within...

The Elkrin

Hello, there! As you know, my name's Future. Unique, isn't it? Oh, you wanna know why we can hear each other through our minds though you are not my Rider. Well, I have linked both of us with a bond because we are acquaintances. The bond is weak and fragile, though, and it will break soon after. Anyway, I suppose you want to know my personality and such, right? Everybody knows my sister is the quiet, obedient one. Me, I'm boisterous. I love exploring and adventuring, but playing pranks is the best! You get the pleasure of hearing creatures, especially humans. When you frighten them, their face scrunch up, their mouths open wide and they let out a blood-curdling scream! It's funny, but I try not to show my amusement because it's not nice. That's what Ma always says, anyway. I love the Celtic countryside, especially the forests, which overflow with life. The air is fresh and clean, and it's a good place to play with my sister. She's no fun most of the time, always yelling for Ma whenever I accidentally bump into her. Hmph! I guess I got a jealous side, too, because when they always praise my sister and not me, I feel a slight hatred and anger. They only praise my saddlebag which has my precious maps inside. Life is never fair! Okay, I think I'm a ranter too. What, I'm not a bad Elkrin! I can be helpful and caring at times. Listen to the story my Rider tells you and you will understand.

Short Story:

I held my breath, holding my throwing knife at an angle so the sun's rays would not gleam off it. The rustling of bushes. The nervous twitching of whiskers. And finally, a plump rabbit loped into view, nibbling on some kind of tall grass.

I released my breath at the same time my knife whistled through the air. It embedded itself into the unsuspecting rabbit's neck. I closed my eyes as usual, unable to watch the scene of the dying rabbit. Maybe it had a mate, had hungry children waiting expectantly for its return. And now I've killed it.

Get over with it, you coward, a voice chided me. Sighing and shaking my head, I slowly opened my eyes and plodded over to the rabbit. It was very dead now, its glassy eyes staring and unblinking. I pulled my knife out, cleaned off the blood with my handkerchief and slotted it back into my jacket, which held twelve slots filled with the finest knives I could afford to buy on my travels. Picking the rabbit up, I dropped it into my rugged leather satchel and trudged on to my makeshift campsite. I was staying in the Celtic countryside as I wanted to escape from my life of crimes. Stealing, robbing, burglaring (the family dog thought my leg was its toy bone), cheating. When would my terrible habits stop?

My spirits lightened when a shaft of sunlight lit up the apex of my little blue tent that peeked over the shrubs and bushes. At least, for now, I had shelter and food. What I really craved for was a friend, someone who could understand me and could appreciate me for who I truly am. I pushed through the trees to the clearing and froze. There was something moving ever so slightly in the bushes, and it was very well camouflaged as I had to squint hard to spot it. There! A coat of green to blend into the forest, with intricate patterns of gold to mimic the flecks and beams of sunlight.

My throat and lips went dry as I tried to think of a predator that was green and gold. Suddenly, with a strange sound that was somewhere between a flute and the bleating of a goat, the thing flung itself at me. I was able to glimpse a dainty muzzle, a long, swishing tail and awfully sharp hooves before I was pushed onto the ground. The breath was knocked out of my lungs in a mighty huff, and pain zapped through my body, leaving me seeing stars. The flute-bleat came again, and bracing myself for another assault of pain, I heaved myself upwards, wincing.

I grasped my knife, panting, and shakily held it at a defense position. But the sight of my attacker made awe flood through me.

A Celtic Knot Elkrin fawn.

An exquisitely made leather saddlebag rested on one of his hindquarters, with thick, rolled-up parchments--maps?-- sticking out of it. He was gazing deep into my eyes with his soulful, liquid-brown ones.  I hope you're okay, Rider. I was just playing! I jumped. Rider? It couldn't be... The myths and legends that were as old as the hills came back to me in a steady rush. Only Riders and their Elkrins could communicate in this unique way...Are you okay? the fawn repeated, his eyes now filled with concern. A warm glow filled my heart, but I forced myself to become cold and hard. I could not be burdened with another mouth to feed. "No, I'm not, and I'll never be. Shove off."

It felt terribly wrong to be shooing off this creature of rarity, but I was not prepared for the fawn's next words. I'm truly sorry, Rider. I'm lost, I need help. Please! I have a sister, and Ma and Da are going to be worried... Guilt crashed into me like a tidal wave. And to think I had been so rude to this...my Elkrin when he was in need!

The warmth of friendship melted the ice that had hardened my self. For once, my despair was gone. In its place was something beautiful and priceless.

I looked at the hopeful fawn, and the first smile in months crept onto my face. "I shall help you, little one," I said gently, rubbed his velvety coat. Strange, a voice in my head mused. He had a map, right? I shrugged that off my mind. Whatever.

As we trudged carefully through the undergrowth, I knew I had found my lifelong friend. In the days after I had met my Elkrin, I realized that whenever I was near my Elkrin, my confidence and courage would be unsurpassed, the very traits of Celtic Knot Elkrins that refreshed their hunger for adventure. I had always known that Elkrins themselves had magic in their self, and now this Elkrin's magic had flowed into me through the unbreakable bond that linked him to me.

I knew what to name him, too. For throwing the light on the path to my future, I would honor him with the name that was surely deemed most suitable.

Future.

Art:


I'm a leftie, but my mouse is on the right side of the computer and is impossible to move over to the left side, so sorry for the wonky antlers! (Edit: Redid the antlers and the words again. Not able to draw the ruff on the Elkrin's neck though. Good luck to all!)

[Dr. Paine]

:Form:

Name:

Daithi

Breedable:

Yes.

Personality:

While his sister could go either way in being a more... tame companion, it is clear that Daithi will never be suited for that. His home is in the moors and dark forests, running free over the grass and stones and sand, even the very water and air if he could; anywhere that has no walls save the very edge of the planet, no roof but the endless sky. That's not to say he dislikes cities, though, far from it! They are the best places to find new maps after all, and perhaps sneak a snack or two at the merchant's stalls, he loves creeping through the crowd; and boasts that while it is fun to run free, you only ever need to visit a good bazaar if you want to travel the globe. As he is young, Daithi is still working on really figuring himself out; and perhaps a lot of his impulsiveness and rash behavior is simply the folly of youth, and he will mellow out as he grows. Only time can really tell.

Give this elkrin room to run, and he is as pleasant as can be, though a bit... rash and prone to running in head over hooves, but he's quick enough to usually get out of any scrapes. Confine him, though... confine Daithi, and it is simply a matter of time until he wastes away. He will refuse to eat or drink, his moods ranging from immobile from sadness to violent outbursts, as there is nowhere else for him to put his energy. He was given his maps and bands for a reason-- he is not meant to be some pretty pet, he is a being that calls the entire world, the known and unknown, his home.

Rider info/background:

There are many who dream of being able to join the ranks of Eldemore's elite-- some may wish to be elected into Alabaster City's Grand Council, others may seek their fortune in the deserts, hoping to become a starreader of Dune; others still go out to seek ancient Rune dragons, Elkrin, or even beasts like Dire Wolves and Leones. Yet the dream of-- at least among children-- most is to have been born into the noble families of Bailglas, a positively ancient, though small, kingdom located somewhere in the northern Celtlands; some say on the very edge of the world itself. From this city come true knights in shining armor, handsome lords and beautiful ladies, splendid palaces and a royal family with a lineage some say is as long as the history of Eldemore itself. Certainly they do nothing to discourage the idea.

Now, the stories might have you believe that being a princess or lady-to-be is a glorious thing, days full of learning the arts of music and weaving, dancing and history and attending great banquets and meeting the most distinguished guests. That is indeed part of it, but one must remember that Bailglas' nobility is perhaps the most staunch in upholding their old-- and many might say, outdated-- ways. Women there are to be seen and not heard, pretty birds who recite their pretty words to entice a good marriage and produce strong sons. Even the girls who enjoy their lives may find themselves wanting... a little more, and such was the case with this little fawn's rider, Anais Gellart.

Always a good girl, that is what everyone said about Anais. A perfect example of her name, the young lady was dedicated to her lessons, always remembering the proper histories, proper stitches and patterns, always knew when to hold her tongue and get out of the way. Beautiful, too-- at her eighteenth birthday, when she was declared to be of marrying age, she was slim and pale, blue-eyed with gently curling red hair that fell well past her waist; unblemished and always perfectly dressed.

She loved being a lady, she truly did-- loved the beauty of her and other old family's homes, loved her high standing and being able to attend great feasts and summer games and being among the first to any great event. But she did not like being silenced, and she did not care for the man she had been betrothed to; enough to where she would even give up the beauty of a lady's life if it meant a taste of true freedom, just the wish she made on her birthday, right before being presented with her gifts in celebration of her engagement.

Perhaps the good Lady should have been more specific in her wish-- she gets freedom for herself and Daithi, oh that's for sure; they get their adventure and excitement. However, this comes in the form of being rogues, wanted for treason and destruction, forcing them to flee the Celtlands and travel north, further north than they've ever been... but that's a story for another time, hm?

Powers/effects on rider:

Daithi's magic is in the power of words-- many legends still circulate that the first letters to ever exist were on the back of a Celtic Knot elkrin like himself, after all. No letters exist on Daithi's back, but give this fawn an inkwell and large enough parchment, and he can do something few other animals could ever be thought to do: he can write. He can write the common tongue of the continent, the flowing tongue of the Celtlands, the strange whispery-sand songs of Dune and the deep deserts, and that's just naming a few. He is very much able to read, too, and once again seems to have an incredible mastery of languages, sliding from a children's book from Alabaster City to a compilation of Oriental recipes without missing a beat. Strangely though, this young stag appears to be mute-- he doesn't even make the faint bleating noises one might expect from a young fawn when he is scared, he just watches everything in absolute silence.

Now, what effect does he have on his rider? Aside from Anais gaining golden-green knots along her own skin, she gains the ability to understand nearly any language-- not just those of humanity's creation though, but she even seems able to understand what animals say as well. Now, speaking this is an entirely different matter.

Short Story:

A lady was dignified. A lady showed no fear, no hesitation, she existed to obey and please.
If it pleased them that she sit up here, look beautiful in her green silks and silver necklace, that she simply sit and smile and nod, then she would smile until she choked.

Anais hoped it wouldn't come to that though, living even as a pet was preferable to such an early death. She glanced to her right, where her husband-to-be sat. He was only twenty five from what they said, but he was already rather portly, and she'd bet both the silver and emerald bracelets on her wrists that he was going gray. Would've seriously considered betting all her jewels and fine clothes that he was older than they'd said.

But she held her tongue. He was of a grand house, and in fact a direct nephew of the king; the only way she could've done better was if she landed a prince-- and the king's wives had only ever given him daughters. Her sons (god willing she would give sons) would stand to inherit so much wealth and land, perhaps even become knights, and what more could she hope for?

A fanfare broke Anais out of her thoughts, and she felt grateful for the distraction, she couldn't let herself linger on those thoughts! The young woman grinned when she saw the hall doors open, revealing a great line of people behind them. Even if the situation was... less than ideal, even if she couldn't make herself stop doubting forever... a birthday and a betrothal meant lavish gifts. She had attended many during her years, and she had always felt the faintest pangs of jealousy when she saw what other ladies received-- rare cloths and jewelry from the Orient or spices from beyond Dune, splendidly colored birds that could speak and sing in half a dozen languages, sometimes even books from far-off lands.

Slowly, the line approached the empty table that sat behind Anais and her fiance, and the gifts appeared.

A promise of three of the finest foals in all the Celtlands from one farmer, a small vat of perfume from... well, the merchant didn't say, but it seemed to carry the scent of ash and fire and a strange, heady spice. Clothing of all sorts, delicate silk dresses woven with fanciful animal knots or Runes, said to provide everything from protection to wisdom to being more likely to bear sons; trinkets and toys and so much more that she completely lost track of what had been presented. At last, only one person remained; a pale merchant with flaming red hair, dressed in long green robes and a smile that Anais didn't entirely trust.

"My Lady," he said with a deep bow and an even wider smile. "I have searched far and wide to find a suitable gift for you. Tell me, my lady-- have you ever heard of Elkrin?"

Anais frowned slightly, shaking her head.

"Aah! A glorious species, my lady. Almost as magical as Rune dragons, but so much rarer; they had so much more influence on those they chose as their rider." The merchant stood upright, reaching into his sleeve and producing a small silver whistle, one Anais recognized as being similar to what the trainers used on dogs. The crowd grew silent as he brought it to his lips and blew into it for a moment; leaving the silence unbroken... for a few moments anyway. A soft clip-clip-clip sound could be heard, growing louder and closer until the strangest creature Anais had ever seen stood in the doorway.

It looked taller than most of the castle ponies, standing on spindly little legs ending in tiny, cloven gold-green hooves the same color as its wide eyes. The closest thing she could compare it to was a young deer, but it seemed too graceful, too delicate and-- well, no deer she had ever seen had been green! A deep green pelt with lighter markings that, to her amazement, looked exactly like many of the knot designs on her own clothing, around the keep and even on the plates and cups! He was adorned with leather bands around his legs and tail, and two small saddlebags that had tiny scrolls peeking through the flaps.

"There had been a female as well, my Lady, a delicate little thing covered in jewels-- I had hoped to present them both, but alas, I could only get this little male. He is yours," the merchant said with another bow, giving a brief snap of his fingers. The... fawn, whatever it was, he pranced up to the table and stood beside Anais, staring up at her with those wide, wondering eyes.

-----------

"A hundred gold pieces to anyone who brings me that merchant's head. Two hundred to anyone who brings him in alive!"

Anais wrapped her arms tighter around the fawn, burying her face in his soft green fur and pretending she hadn't heard her husband's roar. Three weeks had passed since the fawn, whom she had named Daithi, had come to reside in the keep, and by many accounts he was nothing more than a menace. Oh, he'd been good at first; sweet and silent and obedient, but all that seemed to have gone away now. It wasn't rare to find him raiding the kitchens and making a mess of things, trampling flowerbeds or bolting through the library-- that last one was the worst, Anais had it on good authority that the creature had destroyed a rather rare and old tome of Eld mythology, on lend from the royal library and worth... well, no one had wanted to say.

"I know you're good, Dai," she whispered, gently stroking the fawn's neck. He made no noise as usual, simply turned his head to look at her and Anais ached to see his eyes. They had been so wide and bright and curious, now... now they looked dead and dull, even his coat seemed to be losing some of its sheen; likely because he'd barely eaten anything for over a week.

Anais sighed, gently scratching behind Daithi's ear as the fawn laid his head on the ground. "There's got to be something we can do for you... if only you could talk, little one."

At this, the fawn's ears perked up, and there seemed to be a spark of life in his eyes. He slowly got to his feet and trotted over to Anais' table.

"What do you want? There's nothing for you th--"

She was cut off when Daithi reared up onto his hind legs and moved closer to the table, until his snout just touched against a bottle of ink. She couldn't imagine what the little fawn wanted, but it was the first thing he'd shown interest in for weeks. She brought the ink and a piece of parchment down to the ground, and scrambled out of the way when Daithi pounced upon it. The fawn sniffed at the ink and parchment before turning around and dipping his little tail into the inkpot. Anais' eyes went wide as she watched him write, the letters flowing from the tip of his tail were unmistakable. Even if it was a little smeared, there was no question as to what he'd written.

'Sky grass forest moor run let me run and fly
Walls and stone no light no ground no grass no room no space
need to RUN.'

So that was it, wasn't it? He couldn't stand being trapped inside these walls, how hadn't she figured it out sooner? The bands around his legs, the saddlebags, this wasn't a creature meant to be kept inside like some pet. He was supposed to explore.

"I'm sorry, Daithi," she said softly, gently stroking the fawn's head. "I'm so sorry little one, but we're here. We can't leave."

The light faded from Daithi's eyes, and he laid down again, looking even more broken than ever before.
--------------------------------------

A lady was bred to obey and please.

Perhaps she was no longer fit to be a lady.

Anais could barely believe what she was doing, but she didn't have much choice in the matter. The merchant responsible for bringing Daithi to the keep had long vanished, so her husband had decided to take his rage out on the fawn. He'd had Daithi chained up in the stables, and tomorrow...

Tomorrow was still several hours away. Right now the moon and stars lit up the sky, no sun but enough light for Anais to make her way without too much trouble. Her long hair had been cut ragged and short, she'd snitched a servant's clothes and smeared soot and mud all over them and herself in the hopes that it would keep anyone from recognizing her. She carried nothing else, no supplies or clothes, save for the little elkrin's bag of maps and leather bands.

Most of the horses were asleep, and she thanked the gods that the few still awake didn't react to her presence. Daithi didn't react either, and for a moment Anais was terrified that he'd just... slipped away already. But as she came closer, she saw that he was staring at her, making no other movement. She knelt down beside him, gently stroking his head before tying the bands back onto his legs.

"It's okay Dai," she whispered. "We'll get out of here, you and me, we'll run away and you'll have all the sky and grass you could ever want."

Daithi's ears went up, and he lifted his head.

Anais turned her attention to the chain, and she gave a weak smile when she saw how thin it was. Of course they wouldn't waste a good one on him, he was so young and so weak from hunger, how could he escape? She braced herself against the stable floor, wrapping the end closest to the wall around her hands and giving the strongest pull she could. She pulled again, again and again; the metal bit into her skin and made it bleed, her arms ached and sweat ran down her forehead and back, but she couldn't stop. The ring at the end was bending, stretching and--

The chain clattered to the ground, one of the horses shrieked from the shock of the sound. Daithi lept to his feet and immediately broke into a run, Anais trailing not too far behind, keeping hold of the rest of the chain so it didn't rattle on the ground. Still, the sound must have alerted some of the guards, she could see them running towards her, could see their faces they were so close, they were doomed.

The closest one grinned and lowered his spear.

"... gate's that way, boy," he said in a low tone. "Keep what you've got 'long as you take that wretched beast with you."

They still watched her as she and Daithi crept across the courtyard and through the gate, Anais could barely breathe from the tension in her chest. They thought she was some common thief stealing a rare creature, taking care of their problem for them, if they didn't recognize her...

'Close the gate, close the gate, that's Lady Anais!'

The page's shriek was lost under the din of confused guards and rattling chains as the gate began to close, but she and Daithi were well away before it was even halfway down. She knew they'd be giving chase on horseback soon, but they could make it, they had a head start and they had maps.

She had no idea where they'd come from, but the fawn's bags had been nearly bursting with maps detailing nearly every city in the Celtlands, including this one; and they didn't just show the normal roads. They showed the secret ways, ways only criminals and rogues might need...

People like herself and Daithi, now.

(1976 words, according to this.)

[parlaymars]

:Form:

Name:

Roeheln. The Estonian word for Green. Obvious, I know; but I love the flow of the sylabales togther. Roe-heln.

Breedable:

Perhaps in the future.

Short Story:

The tall man wove in-between the throngs of drunken Celts with his hand on his scabbard. He was unused to the racous laughter and clanging of beer mugs, much less the little children that ran screaming through the town. Long story short, he was out of his element.

Callow Verdan was an imposing figure, close to six foot nine and well-built. He kept himself in shape, but he looked normal in this town. The men here were also of his size, shape and build; again something he was not used to. His soldier training kicked in as he forced drunks out of his path to get to the tavern barn. He had heard of a rare event, two Elkrin fawns had been born that were supposedly of an extinct breed. He ducked as someone threw a chair across the alley and before long he'd spotted the swinging sign declaring a building 'The Norsewood Inn.'

Callow shouldered his way inside, only to find the place in even worse shape than outside. By now the sun was starting to fade, along with his patience.

"You! Come here!" He commanded a waiter, grabbing the boy by the shoulder.

"Can you tell me where I can find Bevlyn Cooke?" he asked.

"Yeah. She's in the back, tending to the fawns. Their mother got sick a few weeks ago, Bev's been raising them." the boy said before returning to fill up the patrons' tankards.

Satisfied with his answer, Callow strode to the back of the inn and pushed open the door. He swiftly made it to the barn before a group of people poured out, chattering excitedly and carrying big cases. He paid them no mind and went over to a woman wiping her hands on a rag.

"My name is Callow. I am here to purchase the male fawn from you." he said impatiently, pulling out four gold coins.

"Sorry me boy, but the male's already been bought. The lady said she felt a divine connection to 'im. Perhaps she's his rider? Anyhow, it ain't my trouble now. The money she paid is going to keep me inn afloat for a while." Bev replied.

Callow was furious. How dare she act so indifferent?

"Where did she go?!? Did you see her?" he growled, closing the distance between Bev and himself. His temper was showing, the soldier training was going to break free if he didn't calm down soon.

"Dearie, dearie, don't get so upset. She's got a room at the Palace Inn, just down the road. I'm sure you could catch up to her." Bev said, but Callow had already left the room on swift soldier feet.

He watched as the woman slipped into an alleyway, her two bodyguards lugging the case between them. They wouldn't be a problem. He peered around the corner and was surprised to find that she was consulting a group of shady-looking figures.

"Now I paid a lot of money for 'em... ... you can't be serious... ...that's all? No way! Get your hands off..."

With a roar, Callow leapt from the corner and attacked the shady figures. They had already slain the woman in cold blood, her 'bodyguards' running off. Callow finally allowed the soldier in him to break through, snapping necks and slashing throats with ease. The blood pooled around him and matted his hair, but he had to make sure the fawn was alright.
Callow swiftly drew back the lid to gaze at the exquisite figure. As he watched, the fawn uncurled from its slumber and yawned. Then it opened one eye after the other. Callow looked down at his skin to see a flash of golden tattoos spread up his arms and curl around his face. The sensation they left behind burned slightly, as if he had gotten a real tattoo.

"What now?" he mumbled.

And it was only the beginning.

[Benathorn]

You have one more day to complete and submit your forms.
Please be sure to have them finished before midnight tonight CS time~

[Shiko Hayashi]

Finished my form, but I'm seriously not happy with it.
Anyways, good luck everyone! There are so many amazing forms, and so many amazing stories!

[rose;]

are we allowed to add personality/etc? Or is the form supposed to stay as is?

[Benathorn]

are we allowed to add personality/etc? Or is the form supposed to stay as is?

EDIT: I'll allow it this time since this is an event fawn, but in the future I will have to place restrictions on what can and can not be added.