x
Death was an unusual feeling. At first it was slightly chilly, and his entire body tingled as power drained so that it may be absorbed by the world around him. It was never painful, it was a great feeling of relief and contentment.
He felt light, refreshed, a sensation similar to renewed youth coursed through his spirit and he was blessed with mobility. The Hart rose from the body he no longer needed and watched as his friends and family alike all came to say goodbye.
When he was ready, he moved with surreal flexability and grace, travelling up his beloved hill without touching the earth. It was at the edge he paused to look back one more time to those he left behind. They will thrive even without him, and that was okay.
It was a like a gentle pull that lead him to look to the starlit sky, to what will become his new home. Friends passed had gathered, encouraging his spirit to join them in the endless meadows of nebulas and new worlds, all among the great expanse of everything and nothing. When the Red leapt from the hills edge, every great stride he made brought him closer to nirvana where he would be greeted as an old friend.
It was from up there, he could watch and wait in the company of old companions, as those left behind continued to live with their blessings and their hardships alike. When they grow old and it was their time to go, he would be among those who would welcome them into the endless land of stars and dreams.
And someday, when they were all ready, they will live again. A new start in a new life, all a part of the great eternal loop of life that coursed through the veins of the creation itself.
21:00pm, 21st April 2012
As a wild animal, the Red had fulfilled his purpose. He had many fawns, many great and wonderful children to follow in his steps. And they have their children, and in time the bloodline will extend many generations down. The Hart will leave a fine legacy behind.
Virgil laid down, hidden among the tall grasses just below Red Hill. He was alone, just how he wanted. To go to sleep in the peace and privacy of solitude.
Today, he'll be leaving behind many friends. Friends who he did not leave behind on a bad note. He knew they will be okay, they will live, love, procreate and grow old like he did. And perhaps they will even be greater.
Yes, he thought to himself, laying his head on the ground and gazing to the darkening sky. This was a good note to leave on. And after a few more minutes, he took his last breath, and went to sleep for the last time.
The portal then disappeared.
07:30am, 21st April 2012
Another couple of years had passed in the real world since the Red's last visit. It was february 2017 and the hart was aged and tired. Arthritis had set over an ancient injury on one of his hind hooves, and he was slightly underweight. But when he arrived for what he knew would be his last time, he held his head with dignity, accepting what is to come.
There was no air of sadness around the old animal, if anything he was mellow.
00:30am, 2nd April 2012
His purpose in returning has been fulfilled, he therefore no longer had a reason to stay.
Tired, sore, he approached the the trampled earth with the weed in the middle.
The best he could offer was to try to delicately repair the damage around the flower, and hope it is enough.
"I know not if you can hear me. I know not if we will ever meet one another again." He said, lowering himself close to the plant, "but if you can hear me, I hope the best for you; you deserve the best." A quick glance around at the many friends gathered, "you are in good hooves now."
A few minutes had passed before the older hart rose again. It was time he took his leave.
During his stay, he had rebonded with many friends and even made a few new acquaintances. But his heart ached terribly, and staying would do him no good.
It was time to go home, back to where another scottish winter awaited his return.
23:15pm, 27th March 2012
He emerged forth from portal, leaving his homeland and tentatively stepping into the lands of TEF. The Red had aged since his last visit; two years have passed in the real world, whilst it was a mere month in the lands of The Endless Forest.
The Stag was greyer than his last sighting, and he sported a magnificent set of antlers in the most prime of his age. And whenever a sound came forth from his lips, it came with a far more mature voice. Infact the Stag was hardly recognisable if not for his scent.
His presence in the forest was no coincidence. He had a strong feeling that for some reason, still unknown for him, he had to be here.
So he'll stay until the matter has been resolved.
02:45am, 25th February 2012
Briefly visited the TEF lands, wandered his old trails, left his scent on his favourite tree on Red Hill then left.
Upon leaving, he trod on and damaged the poppy that maintained the portal's existance. This therefore has damaged the portal, and caused it to behave differently by desynchronising time between the real world and the realm of TEF.
Thank you for everything
Forever.
I'm sorry I missed this. I
The antelope approached the
The antelope approached the group around the Red as he lived his last moments in the Forest. Sitting by the tree, he simply watched, not speaking, not moving, just watching.
After a while, he closed his eyes. The words weren't spoken, but in his beating heart, he said his goodbye to his old friend.
We may never know where our path will take us. But we never walk our path alone. You have the wisdom, love, and strength of the Forest at your back, Virgil. Where you go, the life you live from here on, the Forest will support you every step of the way...you will never be forgotten here.
He stands, and taking one last look at the red deer, he bows his head in respect and leaves silently.
I will make certain that you are never forgotten, Virgil.
I am..so devistated and
---
The large Bison was afraid. Afraid to approach, to confirm, or deny, the words of mouth that had been spoken. But, he knew he had do; it was what was justified for the Red that Nash did. His hooves fell loudly on the earth, like gunshots on a still day. When he arrived, his nose told him that the words were true.
The Bison didn't know what to do, to think or to say. Instead silence fell once again, and the massive creature seemed to be paralyzed.
Happy go-lucky bird chirps broke the silence after a while, so unaware of what massive tragedy had just occurred. Something stirred in him, something so unfamiliar and animalistic, yet so blinding and angry and fitting. Roboticly, he raised his massive head and screamed; in agony and fear, anger and loneliness, sadness and memory. The roar made the Forest tremble, made it feel, made it understand what figure had just been lost.
Eyes still wildly dilated and brimmed with tears, he dropped his head heavily, and yet with the most tender touch, he gave the Red a final lick down the spine. The gesture made him shiver roughly, and casting a glance to the others and paying his respects to all, namely Gehirn, he turned away.
"You will not be forgotten."
With that he departed.
Dark and I shall miss you
I'm sorry we couldn't visit once more. Can't seem to log in.
We're only able to be there in spirit.
-----
Death is certainly not something the old demon is unfamiliar with... and neither is the advancing of age. It is an inevitable end for all deer, great and small. Today however marked the end for one of the greats. One that had long captured the demon's respect and friendship. He did not find out by happening upon the body, or susecting any soon ends. No, it was spirits after the fact that let the old demon know of his friend's departure.
And so, he made his way to visit one last time.
He bows his head respectfully to the body as he approaches. He pays little to no mind to any others gathered. In fact, he might as well be alone as far as the old irish elk is concerned.
"Re...st...well...my... fr...iend." he speaks. He soon sits in the grass beside the red's body, looking away to the horizion line. Soon he would have to dig the grave, as he does for most deer who fall naturally and respectfully in the forest. For now however, he only wishes to sit with his friend one last time.
You always have the
It was hard to hear anything past the throbbing in her head. It was the echo of her heartbeat, pounding mercilessly in the cage that was her ribs.
As she approached, she craned her neck out, watching for any subtle movement. Anything to tell her that he was alive, simply sleeping.
But there was none.
There was no rise and fall of his side, no flaring and unflaring of his nostrils. His ears never flickered, his legs never twitched. And amidst his usual scent of pure, feral musk, there was another scent. It was the scent of the arrival of decay, of organs and muscles breaking apart to fertilize the earth beneath them.
The scent of death.
Virgil's death.
She didn't cry, didn't call out. Instead, she stood still and stoic, eyes watching him and only him. She wasn't surprised in the least - she had known that he was older, that his time was coming. It didn't mean it didn't hurt in some way though.
I never got to say goodbye.
Her voice was flat, lacking emotion. That was how Lacie grieved; she shut herself off from the world, focusing on the still heavy hammering of her heartbeat. She approached, ignoring the then slightly stronger scent of decomposition. She lowered her head, nosing the Hart's cheek gently, before the tip of her tongue flickered from between teeth to lightly touch him. To kiss him, chastely.
She lowered herself down, curling close to him, resting her head on his side. She hadn't planned that, but she did it nonetheless. She closed her eyes - only intending to do so briefly - only for it to feel as if an eternity had passed.
She woke to a noise that she couldn't describe; it was becoming more and more quiet. And she also noticed that the Hart's body was beginning to disappear as well. When she raised her head, she realized; the portal to his world was fading away. And so was he. Her heart had quieted somewhat, though the sensation of its throbbing still rattled in her chest. There was a small smile on the corners of her mouth.
I'm glad I got to know you, you know. Her once monotone voice carried something deep, sentimental in that moment. There was fondness, as memories flickered in her mind. There was sadness for his passing.
Yet, there was happiness. He was at peace when he died, she knew that. He died feeling content, complete.
Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she hoped that she could someday die the same way, with the same feelings.
But for then? She'd continue to live - walking, sitting, and playing with him in her memories. Until they were ignited with age, reduced to ashes in death.
Rest in peace, noble Hart.
With those words, he faded. Going, going, gone, but not forgotten.
A single tear fell from her eye.
But she was still smiling.
---
I tried to get on early in the morning when you first logged in (I presume at least; it was around 3am when I tried to log in), but the game wouldn't connect for me. I was having trouble with my Wi-Fi - and I couldn't get on during the day, because I was at work. :/
Still, know that if ever you need anything, I'll be here, always.
Thank you for everything.
I mean it.
- Lacie
"May the Twin Gods guide your
"It saddens me that I did not know you," She tilts her head in awkwardness. "I'm sure you had a wonderful personality." She nods and heads back home, where her family is waiting.
Time has a schedule... It
It stops for no one, nor slows down for those who will it to. It continues on, ever flowing, moving what lives it holds in its grasp towards our fate. It holds our past, our present and our future. Yet at times when we are most happy, time seems to speed up, seeming to quicken its pace during those times you would wish lasted forever. Then when we are in dark times, time seems to slow down, as if trying to run through chest deep mud.
Time has memories...
The doe had known the stag since her first entrance within the forest. During that time, she was rebellious and hot-headed, brash and inconsiderate. Her first encounter with the stag was not one she would like to remember, but remember she did. She had came tearing towards him, looking for a fight due to her thoughts on a friend at the time had been wronged, however, the stag only rose politely and bowed but refused to engage in combat.
She had insisted but yet he shook his head, laying back down, and though most would have seen that as submission, it was anything but. He held himself with dignity and treated those around him the same, it was the first challenge ever refused and even though that stag laid peacefully next to the crying idol, she knew she had already lost. Though, oddly, it didn't bother her. Instead, she sat down near him and spoke to him, thus the tinder was started for an admiration and respect towards The Red.
Though, her type was never one to mesh with his kind, that didn't stop Virgil from accepting her whenever she did stray to see him. No matter how long in between visits, Virgil would always greet her, accepting her into any activities that were happening whenever she did come. It was a warm and strange occurrence, being accepted even though they were from opposite tracks, she enjoyed it but never stayed for long. She never forgot what she was and felt after prolong visits that she was unwelcome, though her own thoughts as he was everything she was not.
The best times to her was during the time The Red became a rutting stud within the forest. To hear him bugling and calling out, watching him spar with the other rutting males, to actually see The Red in action. It was a rare and wondrous site, during that time, she was the most happiest. No longer plagued by standards or worries, she was free to participate and he was always still that warm and welcoming stag. A warmth in her heart simmered for Virgil, he was everything true and the very essence of the forest. He truly belonged.
Time has a reason...
So she stood now, a new body with an old mind and aged only in soul, staring at the cluster that formed the final resting place for The Red. Now and again, someone would shift and she would see a patch of red grey fur from between legs or bodies.
They flocked towards him, even in death, to mourn him and to remember the times they had with him. The newest generations would never know him, they will hear about him from their fathers and mothers, they may hear others speak of him, and then they will continue to pass down his stories...but they will never know him.
Her vision became blurry, dark lashes fell and rose now wet, warmth rolled down her cheek in an endless cascade as her jaw tightened to an almost unbearable pain. She made no move to join them, once again stopped by her own reasons, partly due to her wanting to remain anonymous for now but more so, she could not be consoled by strangers who could not bring him back. They could not bring him back. They could not make the stag rise and bow to her again. They could not start dancing and he would leap up to join them. They could not change time. They could not stop time. She...could not stop time. He was gone.
And with him, that warm part of her heart, the one he had unknowingly started, disappeared as well to be kept by The Red, wherever he would go.
Lust, Imp and I are going to miss him. He was such a wonderful character who belonged to a wonderful individual. I treasure the chances I got to play with you and Virgil and to talk to you as a player.
It isn't so, in our case,
It was a honour for us to get to know him, and you ♥. And I hope you understand we didn't put work in it because we 'had' to. It's because we love you both.
I agree with Mis here (and
Meeting Virgil and you pretty much opened up the forest to us in a whole new level. It shaped Zach's personality to what it is now and gave him a family.
In all honesty, I don't think I would've stayed here for as long as I have if I hadn't met Virgil (and through him, you), and the others you introduced us to.
A rolemodel, an example, and amazing. You and Virgil were all of that and more.
Thank you. =)
No one is going to say it was
It was never a task to
Thank you.
Hm. It's a shame I never got
I agree with everyone above.
Thank you, Vee.
Virgil and you both touched all of us in so many ways.. neither of you will be forgotten.
A small collection of
It's not much ♥
I like to believe Ap's art is
He's not exactly alive. And I am terribly sorry for how this may effect characters.
It might be good for a few of them to reject him even.
I should never have killed him off; it was a rash decision based on severe turmoil of my mentality, and something that happened to him that severely effected my enjoyment here.
I'm sorry for how I am. I just miss him so much, even after all this time. I've never recovered.
Sorry.
-sits-
Our characters weren't always
And since you do miss him and don't seem ready to let go of him yet, then I see no reason why you shouldn't at least visit every now and then, like today. n_n
(No subject)
I don't know if you've
I'msogladhe'sback;u; <3
I know eventually he'll be
Thanks guys. The biggest cause for hesitation is because you have all been so wonderful and supportive during the sendoff; I really hope none of you guys think any less of me now for this. I didn't do it for attention or anything. At the time I really thought it was goodbye...
We won't visit often, but when we do, I hope we'll be able to hang out, you guys. Thank you. <3
Even though Nash wasn't the
Don't be sorry, I understand how that happens, but I am sorry that it did.
We miss him too, and I promise you, a few of us haven't recovered either.
I don't think any less of you, though quite the opposite. It shows that you have feelings, and it makes me glad that someone as great as you in tef-history is so grounded.
Maybe grounded isn't the right word, but you get what I mean.
Although, I do second him being reborn in tef. Maybe it could be a..second chance for Virgil? There's so many ways for it to happen too, if you ever did want to consider it. He could be reborn as a fawn, as an adult, or as a different animal altogether as well. He could also act and be different, if that is what you wanted - because that's the wonders of a game, you can really make it however suits you best. Whatever would make both of you happiest.
Though I do understand it's hard to try to bring him back after all of this, and still after the fact that what happened, happened; I think it would be good.
Would give both of you the chance to do things you didn't get to do.
The Red sure is outstanding, and he was a major player in tef-history. I think having him come back like a reborn knight in shining armor would just add to his story. Would make him all that much greater.
And if I think what we are both talking about that severely effected your enjoyment is the same, he could definitely find someone again too. Like I said, it might be hard to move on, but I do think it would be good.
Sorry to post a huge wall, and to post slightly after the fact, but I really felt like saying something.
I hope I helped (if you haven't already decided on what you are doing). ♥
And I hope I said all that I had on my mind, in a way that is understandable.
If you guys are so keen on
Anyone got a character who would want to do this, though? I suppose, if there's an already developed character out there who could return him to mortal at the age of five at the price of his memories... I think, maybe loosing his memories might make it easier for the both of us, even though it's extremely cliché.
It'd mean having to rebond with old friends though... I hope this is an okay idea, but at the same time, there's a lot on the not-so-great spectrum. He has a family afterall...
Your words mean a lot to me, and I want to please in return. Not in a bad way, of course. But I'm open to letting you guys take control over what happens next.
Or maybe I should start him as a fawn again, and instead of wait years for him to age to where I wanted him, partake in some faster aging until he reaches a physical age, then stops.
But I'm still unsure, there's a few characters I'd still like him to remember... Ugh.
I'm glad you're considering
It could make for some interesting scenarios. Like trying to convince others that he is who he says he is, being limited physically, perhaps traumatized from living after death or something.
Well, whatever happens, i'm glad he'll be back!
I think reincarnating as a
Maybe at a later stage of
I second Starling's idea.
That's just an idea, haha. I'm too lazy to change the wording so it doesn't sound bossy, that's just a simple idea from me.
I sure hope if you go through with this more of my characters can have a chance to be a part of his life. ♥
I've been thinking about your
But I'm afraid I've decided I'm not going to go ahead and let him live like that again. Whenever I play him here from now on and forever, it'll be as a ghost. He'll look physical, and be able to touch even, but he can not harm or be harmed. Will not kill or create. Or anything like that.
When I play him, he'll just look like himself with white glowing eyes. He's dead, basically. And just visiting extremely rarely.
Someday, I'll make an entirely new character, and if I'm unlucky enough to let my guard down, that new character, whatever and whereever it will be, will become the next one I become overly attached to.
And that's when I'll stop playing The Red forever, because I'll know then that he has been reincarnated. And that's the way it should be.
Thank you for being so supportive guys, it means the world to me. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
♥
I'm relieved that his
♥ warms wind for you